Warning from Johnson re- ignites his rivalry with Pietersen
Tearaway quick Mitchell Johnson has accused England of deliberately backing away from fast bowlers as a tactic to unsettle Australia’s pacemen.
It is not uncommon for batsmen to walk away from a delivery if members of the crowd appear in their line of vision but Johnson says the regularity with which it has happened during the Ashes indicates England are doing it for other reasons. And the fiery leftarmer says he expects Andy Flower’s men to continue to employ it in the fifth and final test at the SCG, starting tomorrow.
‘‘ That’s how they play the game and have always played the game since I’ve been playing,’’ he said. ‘‘ It’s always happened so I don’t think they’ll change.
‘‘ It definitely is frustrating when it happens all the time but that’s part of the game, it’s part of their tactics.’’
The issue came to a head during the Boxing Day test when Englishman Kevin Pietersen walked away during Johnson’s run- up – causing the series leading wickettaker to react angrily.
Johnson pegged the ball in Pietersen’s direction – an action he says he regrets – and shared words soon after.
But
Johnson
says
he
won’t
be playing nice in Sydney.
‘‘ The only thing regret throwing the ball,’’ he said.
‘‘ I think that was probably a little bit inappropriate but the rest of it was fine.
‘‘ I just let [ Pietersen] know that he needed to stop doing it.
‘‘ The sight screens are big enough, he should be watching the game.’’
If it is a tactic – it’s certainly not working.
Johnson, who has taken 31 wickets at 14.32 this series, said he was spurred on by Pietersen’s hasty retreat in Melbourne – where he claimed 3- 25 in the second innings.
‘‘ It probably spurred me on to really get back in the game,’’ he said.
if
England try
Iit again
is ‘‘ Not long after that got Bairstow out so it was probably a tactic that didn’t work on his behalf that time.’’
Australia will create history by fielding the same team for five consecutive tests, despite doubtful duo Ryan Harris and Shane Watson not bowling at training yesterday.
Watson picked up a groin injury while coming in to bowl during the Boxing Day test, while Harris’ lingering knee injury has been compounded by a foot complaint.
Should selectors stick with the same XI that has delivered a 4- 0 thrashing in the Ashes so far, it will be the first time in history an Australian team remains unchanged for a five- test series.
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