Johnson takes over as Australia's spearhead

Australia have been wounded by their early exit from the ICC World Twenty20, but they are certain to come back fighting in the Ashes, led by the best bowler on the planet: the fast left-armer Mitchell Johnson. In the Daily Telegraph, Scyld Berry looks at Johnson's rise and just how big a threat he is going to be with the Duke ball this summer.

Deliveries do not come more difficult than one from a left-hander over the wicket which swings in at over 90mph: if it is straight and full, the right-handed batsman has two choices, to be bowled or leg-before. England have to thank Troy Cooley, the Tasmanian who was their own bowling coach in the 2005 series, for teaching this trick to Johnson on the tour of South Africa earlier this year. He made Johnson stand taller in delivery and get his wrist behind the ball; and the result was several new-ball spells that were unplayable.