Ponting, Hilditch back Johnson to come out of form slump

MELBOURNE - Chief selector Andrew Hilditch and skipper Ricky Ponting are confident that out of form pacer Mitchell Johnson will perform better during the Ashes series.

Ponting backed Johnson, the most experienced fast bowler in the country, to be his strike weapon this summer.

Sent back to grade cricket to rediscover rhythm in his unorthodox action, Johnson sprayed 11 wides at the weekend after a lean start to the season for state and country.

“Eleven wides in a one-day game, so you probably don’t read too much into that. I’m not concerned about Mitchell’s form at all, we know what we’re going to get with Mitchell, he’s always been a wicket-taking striking sort of bowler, and that’s the way we need to use him during the Ashes series,” Ponting said.

“He’s never been one that I’ve expected to run in and bowl line and length all day, that’s not what Mitchell does. I’m not that concerned about him. I’m sure he’s looking forward to next week as well,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Hilditch predicted Johnson would have enough overs under his belt before November 25.

“I think Mitchell always needs work. He’s an exception to the rule. I think he needs breaks but when he has a break he needs a bit longer time to come back,” Hilditch said.

“I thought he improved and bowled pretty well in that last one-dayer. He’s playing Shield cricket this weekend so that he can get the volumes he needs to be ready to go. He’s been a real key for us, and he’ll be ready to go at the Gabba,” he added.

Johnson will have his final Ashes warm-up for Western Australia this week against Victoria at the MCG. (ANI)