Pietersen says Johnson won’t get England wickets again

MELBOURNE - England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson caught them by surprise in Perth, and added it won’t happen again.

Dropped for the second Test and recalled for third Ashes Test in Perth, Johnson took 6-38 and 3-44 to guide Australia to a 267-run win to level the five-match series at 1-1.

“We knew he could swing it but we didn’t realise he could swing it that much. He obviously did some really good work in the week that he had off but we’re going to be a lot better prepared for it here in Melbourne, so we’ll play him a lot better,” The Age quoted Pietersen, as saying.

Pietersen and Johnson took dig at each other in the Perth Test, with the England batsman sarcastically asking for the Australian’s phone number.

Johnson later told a WACA Ground media conference that Pietersen was a “smart arse”.

“I didn’t give him my phone number, that’s for sure. I don’t think he was being friendly. I did say something to him but I can’t say what,” Johnson said.

Asked about his relationship with Johnson, Pietersen said: “I don’t have a relationship with Mitchell Johnson.” (ANI)