Mitch Johnson has blasted English rival Stuart Broad for suggesting Australia might not make the World Cup cricket final.

While Johnson predictably took aim at Broad ahead of Saturday’s bumper Cup opener between the two teams, the left-arm paceman also raised eyebrows when he voluntarily spoke about his playing future.

Johnson mentioned retirement and said he was now taking his career game-by game.

When asked who would play England in the Cup final, Broad said Australia were favourites – but then opted for New Zealand or South Africa.

“It’s a pretty silly comment to make – he’s only setting himself for disaster,” Johnson said on Monday at Fox Sports’ World Cup launch.

On February 1, Johnson returned to the Australian one-day team after a month off and ran through the English top order with 3-27.

He will relish the prospect of bowling to England in Saturday’s Cup opener, with the MCG likely to host a massive crowd.

Johnson brushed off an observation from England captain Eoin Morgan about the left-armer’s apparent lack of swing.

“I’m not going to get into what he said,” Johnson said.

“I’ve come out and said I’m a fast, aggressive bowler and I think I’ve proved that throughout my career.

“I like to bowl short – sometimes I swing the ball, sometimes I don’t.

“But my consistency has improved over the last couple of years.

“I just have to keep playing my game and not get involved in mind games.”

Johnson was then asked whether he was planning beyond the World Cup, with a busy year ahead for the Australian team.

“I used to, but it just gets too much,” he said.

“I really am just taking it day-by-day, or game-by-game and making the most of every opportunity I get.

“I’m 33. There’s questions about when I’m going to retire, I’m sure or if I’m going to play all formats for the next couple of years.

“I just need to focus on the games I play in and play the best cricket that I can and enjoy it.”