Bangladesh collapse after another Tamim century

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A dramatic batting collapse turned the second and final test England’s way at Old Trafford after Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal crashed his second exhilarating century in as many matches on Saturday.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five for 76 as Bangladesh, replying to England’s 419, slumped from 126 for nought to 216 all out.

England captain Andrew Strauss must now decide overnight whether to enforce the follow-on at the start of play on the third day on Sunday.

It was quite a turnaround after Tamim’s breathtaking 108 from 114 balls, his fourth test century, and Bangladesh now seem unlikely to grab the victory they need to draw the series.

“It was great to score a hundred but the team matters (more),” the swashbuckling 21-year-old left-hander told reporters. “We didn’t play well after a solid start so I’m not that happy.

“If we could have gone through the day with three or four wickets down it would have been a perfect day. When I walked off I didn’t expect that (collapse),” said Tamim who kissed his bat and waved it towards his team mates on reaching three figures.

Earlier, overnight batsman Ian Bell (128) notched his 11th test century for England and put on 153 for the sixth wicket with Matt Prior (93).

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan produced a late burst of wickets to finish with five for 121.

SPARKLING KNOCKS

The day, though, belonged to Tamim again.

Following his sparkling knocks of 55 and 103 in the first test at Lord’s, the aggressive youngster cut, drove and slashed anything loose in an innings reminiscent of India’s fast-scoring opener Virender Sehwag.

He initially provided Strauss with a major problem as England’s four-man attack struggled in hot and sunny conditions.

Tamim skipped down the pitch and drove Swann over long-on for six to reach his 50 in 43 balls and went on to crack a total of 11 boundaries before he was caught behind off James Anderson trying to cut.

Earlier, he shared an opening stand of 126 with Imrul Kayes who fell for 36 when he hooked paceman Steven Finn to fine leg.

“When I started test cricket I was just trying to survive and when I tried to play a shot I was getting out,” said Tamim.

“I spoke to (coach) Jamie (Siddons) and he said when you are batting in the one-dayers, enjoy yourself, and I thought that’s the way I should play in test cricket.

“Some days I will look fantastic and some days I will look ugly but I think I need to keep going this way.”

After England resumed their first innings on 275 for five, Bell reached his century before being bowled by a sharply spinning delivery from Shakib.

Prior then seemed set for his own ton until he offered a catch off Shakib while reverse sweeping. (Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Flintoff to make comeback by next month

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, June 4 (ANI): England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who retired from test cricket in 2009 after helping England regain the Ashes from Australia, is expected to return to action for his county club Lancashire by July or August.

Flintoff, 32, has been recuperating since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery after the final test at the Oval and is still ambitious to represent England in one-day cricket.

He had initially targeted England’s one-day series in Bangladesh in February for his comeback, but had to abandon that plan while conducting his rehabilitation in Dubai, Stuff.co.nz reports.

“Fred was with us last week and he had a long interview with Mike Watkinson (the cricket manager at Lancashire) and he said he is on course,” Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes told reporters.

“He is full of enthusiasm. It’s amazing that with the time he has been out he is still able to plough on. We are hoping to have him back by the end of July or start of August,” Cumbers added. (ANI)

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Sehwag retains top spot in latest ICC rankings

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 1(ANI): Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag has retained the top spot of the International Cricket Council (ICC) player rankings for Test batsmen in the latest rankings released on Thursday.

Sehwag has remained at the top with 863 points, followed by South African batsman Hashim Amla for second spotwith 842 points and Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardena at third spot with 836 points.

Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke, who earlier had Sehwag firmly within his sights before the start of the second and final Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, as just 16 ratings points separated the two batsmen, has dropped to fifth position after his contributions of 28 and 63.

Clarke’s fall has shifted back Amla to the second place with an opportunity to snatch the number-one position from Sehwag when he faces West Indies in the three-Test series, which starts in Kingston on June 10.

In the rankings for Test bowlers, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has bounced back strongly after a disappointing first Test in Wellington to jump three places and regain second position, which he had first achieved last year in March in Durban against South Africa.

The left-arm fast bowler, who took 10 wickets in Hamilton, had slipped two places to fifth position after managing just one wicket in the first Test.

Johnson’s team-mate Doug Bollinger is also on the move upwards and has achieved a career-best 15th position after climbing four places following his figures of 3-57 and 2-87. (ANI)

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Cook fires England to series sweep

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Alastair Cook hit a second successive century and Kevin Pietersen made an unbeaten 74 as England crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets in the second and final Test to sweep the series.

Skipper Cook (109 not out) and Pietersen added 167 for the unfinished second wicket to help England comfortably achieve a 209-run target on the fifth day in Mirpur.

England, which won the opening Test by 181 runs in Chittagong, also completed a double under Cook following its victory in the preceding one-day series.

The England captain, who scored 173 in the previous match, hit 11 fours in a 156-ball knock for his 12th Test hundred.

He finished the match in style, sweeping off spinner Mohammad Mahmudullah for a boundary.

Pietersen, who switch-hit spinner Shakib Al Hasan for two runs and then smashed Mahmudullah for a four with a similar stroke, smashed one six and nine boundaries in a brisk 79-ball knock.

Bangladesh, trailing by 77 runs, was bowled out for 285 in its second innings shortly after lunch, with skipper Shakib (96) missing out on a Test century on his 23rd birthday.

Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak shared the new ball with seamer Shafiul Islam, but England batted steadily to add 42 for the opening wicket in 13 overs before makeshift opener Jonathan Trott was run out for 19.

Cook, leading England for the first time in a Test series, and Pietersen dominated the Bangladeshi attack with a wide range of strokes to ensure an easy victory.

Bangladesh earlier added 113 to its overnight total of 6 for 172, with Shakib doing the bulk of the scoring.

The Bangladeshi captain looked set to complete his second Test hundred before being stumped off debutant off-spinner James Tredwell. He added 71 to his overnight score of 25, cracking 11 fours in a 191-ball knock.

Tredwell, sharing the second new ball with paceman Stuart Broad, was the most impressive bowler as he grabbed three of the four Bangladeshi wickets that fell in the day.

He struck in his first over with the new ball when he had nightwatchman Shafiul Islam caught by Trott at deep mid-wicket and then dismissed Naeem Islam for three runs.

Shafiul made 28 in a 63-run stand for the seventh wicket with his captain.

-AFP

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Ponting hoping ‘all rounder’ Watson found fit for Hamilton Test

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 24 (ANI): Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that he is worried over the fitness of all-rounder Shane Watson for second and final Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, starting on Saturday.

Watson missed the first Test in Wellington with a thigh strain and was replaced by opener Phillip Hughes who hit a dashing 86 not out from 75 deliveries in Australia’s 10-wicket win at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Tuesday.

Ponting said Hughes is an exciting player, but Watson’s all-round talents are vital with bat and ball and provide extra back up to pace trio of Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson.

The trio bowled a combined 122 overs in the first Test and Ponting says they’ll be given plenty of rest before the second Test.

Ponting said Watson’s ability to bowl 15 overs in an innings made a huge impact on the balance of the side.

“Every team in the world is after someone who bats in the top six and can bowl like he does. Some of the guys in there now would have liked to have had that luxury over the last couple of days,” Ponting said.

“So hopefully we’ll get him back. If we do it means the bowlers won’t have to do as much next week,” he added.

Team physio Alex Kountouris said Watson was on track to shake off a thigh strain.

“He’s had a bat, he’s done some running, he got through those without any problems. So far he’s going well,” Kountouris said. (ANI)

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Hughes guides Australia to 10 wicket win over New Zealand in Wellington Test

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Mar 23 (ANI): Australia’s opening batsman Phil Hughes hit an unbeaten 86 from 75 balls to guide his team to a 10-wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.

Hughes struck 12 fours and one six while Simon Katich played the anchor role with his 18 not out from 65 deliveries, as Australia reached their target of 106 without loss and with two sessions to spare.

Hughes was recalled to the side in place of the injured Shane Watson who is hoping to recover from a thigh-muscle strain for Saturday’s second and final Test in Hamilton.

Debutant Ryan Harris claimed 4-77 to help Australia bowl New Zealand out for 407 on the final morning, FOX Sports reports.

New Zealand had resumed on 6-369 and lost their last four wickets for 38 in 50 minutes of play.

Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum hit two consecutive boundaries off the bowling of Doug Bollinger (2-80) in the opening over to reach his fifth Test century.

But Harris soon had McCullum caught at first slip by Michael Clarke for 104 from 187 balls.

Harris claimed match figures of 6-119 for Australia and spinner Nathan Hauritz took 3-119 from 49 overs in New Zealand’s second innings.

Michael Clarke was named man-of-the-match. (ANI)

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Bell, Bresnan star in England fightback

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ian Bell cracked a superb 138 and Tim Bresnan an unbeaten 74 to lead England’s recovery on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.

England was in danger of conceding a first-innings lead before posting 8 for 440 in its first innings at stumps in reply to Bangladesh’s 419, thanks to Bell’s 10th Test hundred and Bresnan’s maiden half-century.

The tourists were struggling at 4 for 174 early in the day before being revived by Bell, who added 98 for the fifth wicket with Matt Prior (62) and 143 for the next with Bresnan.

England was just four runs short of Bangladesh’s total when Bell was caught by debutant Jahurul Islam while slog-sweeping left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan. He smashed one six and 15 fours in his 263-ball knock.

Bresnan, batting in only his second Test innings, hit five fours in a defiant 214-ball knock.

Skipper Shakib put pressure on England after dismissing Jonathan Trott and Prior in the morning, but Bell and Bresnan applied themselves well to deny the hosts success for more than a session.

The Bangladesh captain was the most successful bowler with 4 for 99 off 57 disciplined overs.

Bell, who survived a leg-before appeal off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak on 82, reached his hundred when he cut seamer Rubel Hossain for a four.

He offered a chance on 119 when he flicked seamer Shafiul Islam, but diving Imrul Kayes failed to latch it at square-leg.

Bangladesh was unlucky not to get the wickets of Prior and Bresnan early in the batsmen’s innings.

Prior was on 9 when he survived a confident appeal for leg-before off Rubel, although TV replays suggested the ball would have hit the leg-stump.

Bangladesh’s appeal for a catch against Bresnan was also turned down but TV replays suggested the batsman inside-edged a Shakib delivery on to his pad before being caught at silly-point when on five.

Prior and Bresnan both went on to play crucial knocks and ease pressure on their team.

England suffered a setback in the morning’s third over when makeshift opener Trott was bowled by Shakib at his overnight score of 64, the ball hitting the pad and elbow before rolling on to the stumps.

England leads 1-0 in the series following their 181-run victory in the opening Test in Chittagong.

- AFP

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“I take a lot of responsibility, I misread wicket,” says Nielsen

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 27(ANI): Australian coach Tim Nielsen has accepted the blame for Australia’s Ashes defeat.

Nielsen believes the three biggest factors that contributed in Australia’s loss were their failure to take the last wicket in the first Testy at Cardiff, the batting collapse in the second Test at Lord’s, and misreading the pitch in fifth and final Test at The Oval.

“I take a lot of the responsibility, I feel as though maybe there are things I could’ve done,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Nielsen, as saying.

“Were they well enough prepared mentally before the game? Did we have a plan in place, a mindset in place that allowed them to adapt and cope with continual loss of wickets? In the end that’s what my role is, I’m not running away from that,” he added.

Nielsen further accepted that he had misread the pitch at The Oval and he was shocked to see the low and slow nature.

“The biggest thing – and maybe that is one thing I would change – I believe I misread the wicket. I didn’t think it would spin as much as it did from the first day. I thought it was going to be dry,” Nielsen said.

He further said that there was something missing and the team didn’t play the best that it could have given to a series of such historical background.

“We didn’t play our best. There’s got to be something missing. That’s what the last couple of days have been for me, searching for that answer or trying to find in my own mind what I could have done better or where we could have done things differently to ensure a different result,” Nielsen said. (ANI)

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When the chips are down, Australians’ support you, says McGrath

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Aug.27 (ANI): There have not been too many dark days in the life of former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, but he says that in January of this year, six months after his wife Jane’s passing, was a particularly trying time.

He had been working hard on a McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation function that was take place during the final Test against South Africa, had two young children to look after, and it had been just six months since his wife Jane had died from breast cancer.

He says that as he sat at a set of traffic lights a man in a car beside him grabbed his attention.

“This car just pulled up and a man said ‘we love what you are doing (for breast cancer)’ and handed me a 100 dollar note through the window for the (McGrath) Foundation and then off he went,” McGrath said.

“I was a bit tired because it had been a busy few days but that left me on a high for the rest of the day. For someone to think so quickly of doing that was amazing. I guess that’s what Australians are all about. When the chips are down they are there to support you,” he added.

Donations to the McGrath Foundation now total around 20 million dollars.

Yesterday, in Brisbane, McGrath announced, with joint partners Inghams, that the Foundation has appointed Karen Miles as its 53rd breast care nurse in Australia.

The concept of a specialist nurse assisting a cancer sufferer is very close to his heart.

“In 1997 when Jane was first diagnosed with cancer we initially had to go through everything ourselves and it was quite traumatic,” he said.

“We were pretty young. The word mastectomy (removing a breast) … I didn’t even know what it meant. Then it became such a big part of my life. Jane’s vision was for all affected women to have access to a breast care nurse in their local area. Her dream is to have one nurse per patient, and that’s what we’re aiming for.”

McGrath remains an inspirational character to his former international teammates who deeply the admire the commitment and dignity he has shown in taking up Jane’s crusade.

Even some of his closest friends were never sure how he was faring emotionally because he gave so little away, always presenting a sunny face to the outside world.

McGrath insists he was simply being himself but conceded he did his grieving in private.

“It is just the way I am. I don’t try and be anyone I am not. If I need to sort something out I will go away and do it by myself. Life is meant to be enjoyed and you try and take the positives out of it. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to think I actually played cricket,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted McGrath, as saying.

The bonds between McGrath and some of his teammates have fortified in tough times. (ANI)

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England can dominate with Broad at the helm: Flintoff

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug.26 (ANI): Former England Test player Andrew Flintoff believes that Northamptonshire quick Stuart Broad will help the national side to dominate international fixtures more than he did.

Yesterday, just hours before he went into hospital to collect more points on his loyalty card for yet another bout of surgery, Flintoff said his final Test goodbye and bowed out an ordinary man.

“We’ve got the players to do it, we’ve got the captain to lead us, and it’s a realistic goal (to be the number one side in Test cricket), ” said Freddie.

“It is actually quite a nice time for me to finish. The kids are coming to an age where they need their Dad around and I am going to be there for that.

Bittersweet as it is having to finish Test cricket through injury the one thing I am excited about is being at home. I am not going to get people shouting ‘Super Fred’ when I am doing the school run though,” The Independent quoted Flintoff, as saying.

As he left the stage, he gave his former teammates two pieces of advice to consider.

Firstly he wants to see this Ashes win represent the start of an era not the end like in 2005, and secondly Steve Harmison must not quit Test cricket.

“If lessons can be learnt, it is that now is the time to try to dominate as a Test team. Enjoy this celebration, get it out of the system, then move on. Almost be Australia-like. I would urge Steve to carry on. He could be one of our all-time leading wicket takers – he could quite easily get 300,” said Flintoff. (ANI)

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Australian press and commentators react to Ashes defeat

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug.24 (ANI): The Australian press and commentators have reacted along predictable lines to the latest Ashes series defeat to England in England.

“The Australian selectors have faced serious issues right through the series and they have not been solid. The selectors need to be made answerable at the end of this campaign, said former Australian opener Michael Slater.

“Not only did they [the selectors] handcuff Ponting at The Oval with four pacemen on a palpably dry pitch, but they also, once again, resorted to the failed ploy of expecting part-time spinners to do a specialist task,” The Independent quoted Ian Chappell, as saying.

“Forget all that nonsense about criticising Ponting’s captaincy. He remains unequivocally the best player to lead the team,” said the Herald Sun.

“I really don’t think that England deserve to win this year. This is hard for me to acknowledge, since I’m South African, and it’s in my blood to hate anything Australian,” said Frost on www.cricket- blog.com.

“We’ve scored eight tons versus England’s two. He [Ponting] must go as a captain – the only captain to lose the Ashes with the invincibles will become the only captain to lose two Ashes.” virtualGaz on www.cricket-blog.com

“England don’t deserve to win the Ashes. They haven’t scored enough centuries.

Day one of the final Test said it all. England won the toss. They picked the best side while Australia may have got their side wrong. The bowlers performed modestly in the first session. England got the start they wanted. Australia were rattled. The wicket was flat. The ball was swinging a bit but hardly venomously.

Ricky Ponting was chewing his nails and looked agitated. And still no English batsman could take control. Sorry but that’s not good enough,” said Robert Craddock in his report for the Herald Sun.

“Andrew Flintoff had to produce something magnificent in his final Test, you just knew, and when he threw down the stumps to dismiss Australian skipper Ricky Ponting to end a defiant innings, the Oval faithful had their moment,” said Jamie Pandaram, The Age. (ANI)

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Oval Test might not be Ponting’s last Test on English soil

August 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 21(ANI): Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that he hasn’t thought about the final Ashes Test match at The Oval being his final Test match against England on their soil.

Ponting is unlikely to play in the next Ashes series on English soil, which would be held in 2013, but he avoided declaring The Oval Test as the last.

“I haven’t really thought about whether this is my last Test here or not, I’ve just been focusing on my preparation going into the game,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

“I’m really enjoying cricket at the moment, I’ve never put a time frame on when I’m thinking about finishing my international career,” he added.

The 34-year-old also said that he has really enjoyed playing with the fresh lot of players, following retirement of numerous senior players in the past one year.

“It’s been one of the big challenges in my career. We’ve had some good successes along the way and long may that continue,” he said.

“I need a good break or some time away at some stage to think about when the end might be, but that won’t be for a while yet. I’m really enjoying it now, hopefully I can make some runs this week and not have to worry about it for a while,” he added.

Ponting further said that he might play in England next year, if their cancelled Test series against Pakistan gets rescheduled in England.

“One thing I’m hoping is that we might play Pakistan here in those (cancelled) games next year, which means I’ll be back here for sure,” Ponting said. (ANI)

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Ashes dreams still alive, says Bell

August 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 21(ANI): England batsman Ian Bell has said that there is no need to panic, and pleaded with England fans to cling on to their Ashes dreams in the fifth and final Test match at The Oval.

“I don’t think we have thrown it away. We don’t know what a good score will be on this wicket and we’re quite pleased to get 300 on the board,” The Sun quoted Bell, as saying.

“It was ugly at times and we had to fight. We could have been in a better position, but it wasn’t like your normal Oval pitch, it was low and slow,” he added.

Bell further said that the England team is hopeful of a comeback, as it won’t be easy for the Australians to bat last on the low and slow pitch.

“Hopefully as the game goes on the pitch will deteriorate further and it won’t be easy to bat last,” Bell said.

“There is a bit in this track for everyone, I can see this Test going late into day five,” he added. (ANI)

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Freddie Factor will inspire team, says Strauss

August 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Surrey, Aug 20(ANI): England captain Andrew Strauss reckons that the Freddie Factor will inspire his team to do well in the fifth and final Test match at The Oval.

Strauss believes the script has already been written for all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who will retire from Test cricket, to produce another epic show in his farewell Test.

“The thought of him charging in during his last Test and knocking over some Aussie wickets is very exciting. It is a massive plus having him back in the side. It is the perfect story – his last game in an Ashes Test with a full house. The script is perfectly written,” The Sun quoted Strauss, as saying.

“Fred is going to be completely motivated to go out on a high. He can lift the other players with his performance,” he added.

Though Flintoff did not bowl in the nets during practice session on Tuesday, Strauss said that he is certain that Freddie will play.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Ricky Ponting has warned that the expectations on Flintoff could probably backfire.

“It is his last game and he knows it is such an important one for England. That will bring extra pressure,” Ponting said. (ANI)

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Australia will not settle for a draw in Oval Test, says Clarke

August 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug.19 (ANI): Australian vice captain Michael Clarke has said that his side has no intention of chasing a draw in the decisive Ashes Test that starts tomorrow at The Oval.

“I don’t think we should start that way, no,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

“In the 50-odd Tests I’ve played, we’ve never played for a draw, I’m pretty confident we won’t be out there trying for a draw,” he added.

He said Australia’s statistical dominance in the series would count for nothing at The Oval with the tourists having five of top six run-scorers and the three leading wicket-takers.

“That doesn’t guarantee you are going to win. What’s important is the four Tests that are gone are exactly that – gone. Right now they mean nothing. It’s 1-1, this is the important Test match and this is the one we’re focused on,” he said further.

Meanwhile, England all rounder Andrew Flintoff said he expected to be fit for his final Test appearance before retiring at the age of 31 due to persistent injuries.

“One of the things I’ve been trying to do is get the swelling down,” he said. “I’m confident I’ll be all right, I just have to prove it. I’m sure there will be an element of swelling, however that can be managed,” he said. (ANI)

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‘Have fun and embrace the intense build-up to series decider’, says Nielsen

August 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 18(ANI): Tim Nielsen, the coach of Australian cricket team, has said the team must have some fun and embrace the intense build-up to the fifth and final Test match of the Ashes series, starting on Thursday.

“I think the most important thing from our perspective is we don’t run away from the fact it is a big game,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Nielsen, as saying.

“This is fun, this is why you play the highest level of sport for. When there’s big occasions, there’s big crowds and there is a perception around that it means a lot. Every Test match means a lot, but you get to special days and special moments like these, we’re looking to embrace it and really have some fun in it,” he added.

The stakes could not be higher now with the series locked at 1-1 and Nielsen says his Ashes holders should relish the opportunity that presents

Nielsen further said that nobody can determine the level of intensity that would be there at the stadium, when players would finally come out to play in the decider, and said that what important is to handle the situation.

“Our challenge this week is to make sure while we don’t make it bigger than it is, we enjoy that. You don’t get too many opportunities to play in a big game like this too often,” (ANI)

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Mitch Johnson is loving his newly discovered art of sledging

August 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug.12 (ANI): Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is loving his newly discovered art of sledging, and said he will ramp it up during next week’s fifth and final Test at The Oval after rediscovering his form and confidence at Headingley.

“I don’t normally say too much, but maybe it was a bit of a surprise to those guys for me to say something,” Johnson said.

“It felt good to do it and I’ll continue to do it. Just keep puffing my chest out and keep getting into the contest … a stare here and there. I think that’s definitely worked for me and I’ve definitely got a lot more confidence now and really enjoying it again,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

The rejuvenated pacer also admitted that the English crowd had got under his skin in the second Test, causing him to lose focus and nearly his spot in the side.

“I didn’t really know where they were going, to be honest. I bowled a lot of wide, short balls. That was a pretty tough moment for me. To be copping it from the English crowd, I didn’t know how to deal with it at the time. It was the most I’ve copped it,” Jonson said of that experience at Lord’s.

There were no more mocking songs to be heard after Johnson’s excellent spell of 5-69 to wrap up the fourth Test inside three days.

Johnson is not a bowler who responds well to intense coaching. These technical considerations got inside Johnson’s head earlier this tour, when he was wound up and unable to think clearly. It took a simple word with vice-captain Michael Clarke during a tour match in Northamptonshire, between the second and third Tests, for Johnson to click again.

“During that Lord’s Test, I can remember clearly I was thinking about wrist position, I was thinking about front-arm pull-down, I was thinking about running in, I was thinking about everything that I could,” Johnson said.

“Edgbaston was totally different. I just ran in, didn’t worry about it. Michael Clarke said to me at the practice game, when he came out to field, ‘Just run in and bowl fast. That’s what you do best’. That’s what I’ve been trying to do: run in, hit my areas and not worry about technical stuff out on the field. It’s been a bit different than normal. The first two Tests especially, I felt a bit more pressure than I have in the past. I’ve started to handle it a lot more now,” Johnson said.

He also said issues taking place off the field did not affect when he was on the field.

He was referring to the much publicised spat between his mother, Vicky Harber, and his girlfriend, Jessica Bratich.

Johnson has 16 wickets at 32.62 for the series, and has retained his No.3 ranking on the ICC’s top Test bowlers list after the spirited fight back in Leeds. (ANI)

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