Unguided missile launcher Mitchell Johnson remains “in the mix” for a return to Test cricket.

New Australian fast bowling coach Allister de Winter met with the left-arm former international cricketer of the year on a recent trip to South Africa, where Johnson has been playing for Twenty20 side Mumbai Indians.

De Winter says the 30-year-old one-time spearhead remains in the minds of Australia’s coaching staff after a period in the wilderness.

“He’s probably still in the mix,” de Winter told reporters at Bellerive.

“I think he’s started the season really well in terms of Sheffield Shield cricket.

“He bowled very well in our tour to Dubai in the one-day tournament.”

Johnson’s accuracy all but deserted him in the seasons that followed his 2009 award, with young guns – including fellow leftie Mitchell Starc – leapfrogging him in the pecking order.

Johnson said recently he had discovered some consistency and de Winter is backing that assessment.

“He’s in a really good headspace,” he said.

“He’s really fit and he’s bowling as well as he has for quite a long time.

“It’s great to have him back in the mix and it gives us a great choice when it comes to selection, particularly with his left-arm bowling.”

Johnson, who has 190 Test scalps at 31.29 to his name, played the last of his 47 matches in South Africa in November last year, taking just two wickets.

He has taken five wickets in two Sheffield Shield games this season.