Johnson relishing Ashes face-off with England’s Stokes
Fast bowler is chomping at the bit to get stuck into the old cricketing enemy
Mitchell Johnson is relishing the prospect of a few heated exchanges with England firebrand Ben Stokes, but he hopes the home supporters will keep it clean off the pitch.
The Australian fast bowler is chomping at the bit to get stuck into the old cricketing enemy with the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff next week.
Johnson, 33, insists it could be his last Test battles with England and that retaining the urn would mean the world to him.
All-rounder Stokes is one England player who he expects will prove a tough opponent during the five-Test campaign starting on July 8.
Stokes has built a reputation for having a short fuse and a volatile temper. A recent clash with West Indian Marlon Samuels, who rebuked and ribbed his young English rival in the Caribbean, proved Stokes is very much up for an argument.
“Stokes is just playing the game and he’s fiery. We like that. We like someone who has got a bit of guts and determination,” he said on Monday.
“We spoke about him throughout the last series. He was the only guy who really fought from the England team. He also stirred up a few of the West Indians out there recently.
‘Very competitive ‘
“We weren’t sure why he wasn’t picked in the World Cup squad. It’s always nice to play against real competitors.
“Virat Kohli is the same. He’s very competitive on the field and they are nice guys off it. People want to see a bit of fire in Test match cricket.”
Johnson is bracing himself for plenty of hostility from the English crowds.
Others such a Ricky Ponting and Jason Gillespie have been singled out in the past, and Johnson says: “Do I like being cast as the pantomime villain? Who likes being sledged every day!
“It’s been part of the game and they always seem to target particular players. It’s been the history of the Ashes and cricket in general. I’ve been targeted all over the world.”
Stokes is just playing the game and he’s fiery. We like that. We like someone who has got a bit of guts and determination. We spoke about him throughout the last series.”
Mitchell Johnson (left) Fast bowler