Australian captain Michael Clarke believes Test selectors will find it hard to ignore Mitchell Johnson for summer’s return Ashes series if his strong one-day form continues.
Johnson was again among Australia’s best players in Sunday’s 88-run ODI win over England in Manchester.
He bowled with great pace and movement to finish with 2-36 from 10 overs, including dismissing Michael Carberry and Jonathan Trott in the space of three balls.
It followed Johnson’s 4-36 in the one-off match against Scotland last week, while he also impressed in the two-match T20 series.
After being overlooked for the recent 3-0 Ashes series loss, Johnson is gunning for a recall in the home Tests against England from November 21 in Brisbane.
Former paceman Brett Lee believes Johnson could bring the fear factor back into the Australian Test pace attack while Clarke admitted Johnson was giving himself every hope of a recall.
“I think if Mitch continues to bowl the way he’s bowling, there’s no doubt (he’ll be in contention),” Clarke said after the win at Old Trafford.
“He wants to be part of all three forms of the game and all you can do is perform.
“If you’re a bowler, take wickets; if you’re a batter, score runs; and the selectors will certainly have to think about it.”
Meanwhile Clarke said he was pleased with the performance of legspinner Fawad Ahmed, despite his modest return of 1-55 from seven overs.
The former Pakistani refugee had a tough afternoon as he copped some heavy treatment, particularly from Kevin Pietersen, in his second ODI for Australia.
“He mightn’t have got as many wickets as he would have liked and might have went for a few more runs,” Clarke said of Ahmed.
“But with only three fielders out and bowling out the back of the hand, you’re always going to go for runs and I think he handles it extremely well.
“I think it’s another good performance from him.”