Walsh backs ‘re-energised’ Johnson to fly in Perth Test

By ANI
Sunday, December 12, 2010

SYDNEY - Former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh reckons that struggling Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson will be facing a “critical” Test match in Perth.

Johnson, who was axed by the selectors after he finished the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane wicketless, has been included in the 12-man squad for the third Ashes Test, starting on Thursday.

“What I find difficult to understand is that when I first saw Mitchell Johnson bowl I was very very impressed. But since then I don’t think his game has improved as much as I anticipated,” the Age quoted Walsh, as saying.

“Maybe my expectations of him were too high, but he hasn’t gone forward as much or as quickly as I would have thought.”

“To be honest, I hoped for a little bit more from him. I do think he’s got something special in him, and now, it’s a matter of getting it out and onto the ground,” he added.

Walsh further believes that the Australian selectors had done the right thing by dumping Johnson for the Brisbane Test.

The 29-year-old has since been working with mentor Troy Cooley in Perth to raise his arm action and rediscover his lethal in-swinger.

“To be left out of the side [for the second Test] might have been the tonic he needed to re-energise himself and come back again. I think it’s going to be critical to watch the way he performs in this upcoming Test,” Walsh said.

Australia is currently 0-1 down in the five-match series after losing the second Test in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs. (ANI)

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