England must show belief and target Johnson
JASON GILLESPIE believes England are “in denial” about the threat posed by Mitchell Johnson ahead of their crunch World Cup opener tomorrow.
But the former Australia Test bowler insists they do have the fi repower to knock him out of his stride if they can show some self- belief.
Attempts by England management to paint Johnson as “just another bowler” despite yet another match- winning spell in the Tri- Series fi nal in Perth are counter- productive, according to Gillespie.
“The England camp is trying to downplay Johnson but I’d have gone the other way,” said Gillespie.
“I would have said, ‘ Look, he’s bowled really well, he has had the wood over us in the past, but we are working hard and we have plans to try and get on top of him’.
“They are not acknowledging that he has performed well against England in the past. That adds a little bit of spark for Mitchell. He would see that as a real positive.”
Johnson needs no extra motivation against England and his three wickets in 10 balls at the WACA further embellished a fearsome record against their batsmen.
But Gillespie nominated half a dozen England batters who are capable of taking on Johnson.
“Moeen Ali and Ian Bell up top is a fantastic left- right combination who can play with a lot of freedom and Joe Root is a fantastic young cricketer who is not intimidated by the short ball,” he said.
“If Eoin Morgan gets through that initial period he is an incredibly destructive player. Jos Buttler also plays the short ball well. Any of those lads can take it to him.”
Australia captain Michael Clarke has lost his race to be fi t after hamstring surgery and will sit the game out.
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