Johnson pumps up on-field aggression in third test

BIRMINGHAM - Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has claimed that a more confrontational approach was responsible for a better performance in the just concluded third Test at Edgbaston.

While still below his best, Johnson said he felt he was now taking the game up to England instead of worrying about simply putting the ball into play.

“The whole team wanted to really stand up to these guys and show a bit more intent out there,” Johnson said.

“In the first two Tests I was just bowling a ball and walking back, not really getting in their faces,” Johnson said.

“Even if I said nothing, at least get in there and give a bit of a stare. Let them know that we’re there. It’s something we talked about at the start of the series. Obviously confidence on my part probably let the team down a bit in that regard in the first two Tests,” he added.

Johnson, who admitted putting too much pressure on himself going into this Ashes series, denied Australia was reacting to criticism by Shane Warne and others about the team’s lack of aggression.

Johnson also denied that public claims by his mother, Vikki Harber, criticising his fiancée, Jessica Bratich, had impacted on his performance.

“Nothing on the outside affects the way I play my cricket,” said Johnson. “That’s all left behind. It’s all about what happens on the field.” (ANI)