After regaining confidence in his bowling action, paceman Mitchell Johnson says he’s ready to make an impact for Australia if he receives a call-up for the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide, starting next Thursday.
Johnson hasn’t featured for the Test team since suffering a serious toe injury against South Africa in November last year.
But after making a solid start to the Sheffield Shield season with Western Australia and working with mentor Dennis Lillee in recent months, the 31-year-old feels he’s ready to once again make a splash on the international arena.
Although James Pattinson impressed in Australia’s draw against South Africa earlier this week, fellow pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle didn’t make a significant impact, while spinner Nathan Lyon (four wickets) was honest without being overly dangerous.
The Test squad for Adelaide will be announced on Friday, and Johnson is an outside chance of earning a call-up.
“If an opportunity came up, I definitely feel like I’m ready,” Johnson said after snaring match figures of 5-104 in Western Australia’s 110-run Shield win over South Australia.
“I think this is the best I’ve bowled in probably two years.
“I actually feel like I’m in control of what I’m doing. I know why I’m bowling well, I know why I’m batting well.
“For me to feel like that is a bonus.
“That’s what you want to achieve at international level – you want to be able to know what you’re doing.
“It’s all coming together for me. If I get that chance, yeah I’m definitely ready for it.
“But I’m just happy to keep playing and keep doing what I need to do here (for WA) and keep doing it for long periods.”