Got a lot of years left in me - Johnson

For about eight minutes on December 10, 2005, time stood still for Mitchell Johnson. He was 24-years-old, making his debut for Australia against New Zealand, and is not embarrassed to admit that he was completely overawed.

"The first time I played international cricket, I couldn't breathe for the first two overs," Johnson said in Centurion after Australia completed their 93-run victory over South Africa late on Wednesday night. Air was not the only thing he struggled for that day in Christchurch. His nine overs were bashed about for 64 runs. He was not the most expensive Australia bowler - Mick Lewis was - but it was still a stumbling start.

While Johnson was manning the mid-on and mid-off regions at SuperSport Park during the game against South Africa, he remembered his debut and looked over at Patrick Cummins and Mitchell Marsh to see if they had jangling nerves, like he once did. Johnson had already watched them grow impatient in the change room through the Australia innings and a four-and-a-half hour rain delay, and had a few soothing words to ease their tensions. "I sort of let the boys know that they are not alone," he said. "I think they did really well in those conditions. Sitting around waiting on your one-day debut is a little nerve wracking, but they did an exceptional job."

Cummins, in particular, continued to hog the headlines and Johnson was excited about the possibility of bowling with him in future. "It was the first time I've been in a game with him and seen him bowl. I've seen a couple of Twenty20s and he bowled quickly there." Johnson was not concerned about the fast-track Cummins has sped along and said, "You have to use a guy like that when you can."

With his extra pace, the risk of injury is increased and Cummins already had a back niggle earlier his year. Johnson could empathise with that. "I had some stress fractures and back fractures [so I know what it feels like to be out with a back injury]," Johnson said. "I'm not saying he is going to get those though, he may not have any injuries. Glenn McGrath was one of those guys who didn't get back injuries."

While the young talent gave Johnson a fair amount to be excited about, he was also pleased with his own showing. Johnson produced one of his better performances in recent months and showed glimpses of the man who terrorised South Africa's batsmen on home soil two years ago. He beat the bat and swung the ball, and was "happy with the way the ball came out".

Johnson has been under some pressure recently, after looking off colour during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in August. He took the small slump in form in his stride. "I didn't get the wickets that I wanted, but I thought bowled well there," he said.

His wicket-taking ability roared back to life when he took 5 for 69 for Western Australia against Tasmania in Perth little more than a week ago, a performance that he says was important for his preparation for South Africa. "I went back home after Sri Lanka and I played a bit of grade cricket and a Shield game, and got wickets there. There were good signs in this game tonight. Hopefully, I can get more wickets but if it doesn't go my way, I am happy with the way I am bowling."

The pitches in South Africa have been kind to Johnson and to be back in the country where he made such an impact is sure to spur him on, although he played down any expectations. "It's totally different, things have changed with different players and maybe even different conditions. But, I do enjoy bowling here and maybe I can get a bit of confidence out of how I did perform last time."

It's in the Test matches that Johnson will be watched most closely, after he broke Graeme Smith's hand and drew blood from Jacques Kallis' chin when he last donned the whites in South Africa. By the time the first Test starts, Johnson would have turned 30 and he has heard whispers that he may be seen as entering the senior phase in the life of a cricketer. Although he is happy to accept more responsibility, he does not see it as a turning point that could spark the end of his cricket career. "I've got a lot of years left in me. There was a lot of talk earlier in our camps in Brisbane that I'm approaching 30 and almost over the hill. But I'm fit and strong, and I'll keep being positive."