Maher pushes Johnson for the Ashes

Mitchell Johnson should already be pencilled in as Australia's third fast bowler for the first Ashes Test, according to his Queensland captain Jimmy Maher. Maher weighed into the debate after playing against Johnson's main rival for the Ashes spot, Stuart Clark, in a Pura Cup match at the Gabba.

"I think hometown, Gabba, I mean it's a big stage ... first Test and it's important Australia get off to a good start," Maher said on the ABC website. "And from an experience point of view Clark's probably got his nose in front, but his [Johnson's] out-and-out pace will really worry England here a lot and I think they'd be mad not to pick Johnson."

Clark, who said he was still slightly rusty after a thigh injury, took two important wickets in his best spell of the match against Queensland to help New South Wales to victory late on the final day. "I've said all along it depends what the selectors want to go with," he said. "If they want to go with a more McGrath-type bowler they'll probably go down my line. If they want to go express they'll probably go down Mitchell's line."

The New South Wales captain Brad Haddin said Clark improved throughout the four-day match, although he took only three wickets. "After that long lay-off every spell in the game he got better," he told AAP. "At the end of the day he was back to the old Stuart Clark."

Maher said while Johnson would be his preference, Clark would not let Australia down. "He's always in and around you and at you and always keeps the pressure on," he said. "He's ready to go, there's no doubt about that."

But one of the two should get the nod, according to Maher, who said it would be a mistake to play two spinners at the Gabba for the first Test starting on November 23. "I don't think I'd be playing two leggies here," he said. "There's plenty of places they can play those. Certainly not here. I'd be hitting them with as many fast bowlers as we can on a good fast Gabba pitch."