Johnson must ‘conquer himself first’ to be England Ashes ‘conqueror’: Roebuck

SYDNEY - Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, a man intent on conquering the third Ashes Test against England in Perth, has to conquer himself first, according to noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck.

“When everything is in perfect working order, Johnson looks superb. In South Africa and New Zealand he ran smoothly to the crease, gathered himself and sent down thunderbolts. None of the batsmen could handle him,” Roebuck wrote in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“But there is another Johnson lurking under the clothes of the champion, a stuttering, nervous, hesitant man who knows that the whole thing is held together by a thread.”

“He fears the savaging that incompetence brings, the criticisms, the figures, the embarrassment, the isolations; especially the isolation,” he added.

Roebuck further believes that if the strike bowler takes a hatful and captain Ricky Ponting scores a hundred, Australia might win.

“Experience teaches a player how to return reasonable figures on the tough days. Locals want Johnson to grab the ball and cause mayhem in the old-fashioned way. They yearn to see a cranky speedster making batsmen hop about. At present he has the ability, but not the conviction,” Roebuck wrote.

“Perhaps he will run hot. However, a man intent on conquering a game first has to conquer himself,” he added.

Johnson was axed by the selectors after he finished the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane wicketless.

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

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)