First-change Johnson enjoys new role

Away from the limelight, Mitchell Johnson has quietly worked his way back from the horrors of the Ashes last year into something resembling his best form. He is no longer Australia's opening bowler, but a new role at first-change has brought considerable success.

With one Test still to go in the home summer, Johnson has picked up 28 wickets almost unnoticed in five Tests against the West Indies and Pakistan. Against the latter, he has bowled several critical spells, taking two wickets in the first over of the final morning at the MCG to set Australia on the path to victory and then two again in an over on the tumultuous fourth day at the SCG.

"I've had a fair bit of time to think about it [being first change] and recently it's been on my mind a lot," Johnson said. "To be honest I'm happy where I am and it's something I have learnt to do well. It probably started with ODI cricket, bowling first change and using those change-ups so it's something I've had a bit of time to deal with. If I get the opportunity to bowl with the new ball again I will put my hand up. I'm happy to do whatever is best for the team.

"Through the West Indies series I was a little slow through the air. I probably wasn't quite at my best. But sometimes you come up against those teams and you relax a little bit. But as they showed they are a quality side and we almost let them off the hook a little bit. And coming up against Pakistan we know how good they are. I guess I've stepped up in the second half of the summer."

With 31 Tests behind him now, Johnson is the most experienced member of the attack and even though he no longer has the new ball, he remains the key man. He is also reaching a period in his career widely regarded as the peak years for a fast bowler.

"I guess leading is showing the guys on and off the field training, going at a 100% and speaking to the guys about knowledge of the game," Johnson said. "I've played 30 games and some of the guys coming through now have only played a few so I feel it's my responsibility to speak to those guys about conditions and the guys we are playing against. Leading the attack out in the middle is going out there and really just doing the things I do best. I try to break those partnerships and that is one of the big things I try and do and just enjoy my cricket.

"You've had guys like Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee and guys in the past that have talked in the past about being at their peak around 27, 28 and 29. I feel like I'm starting to know my game a hell of a lot better than in the past."

Johnson's had good support through the summer from Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle, even if Siddle hasn't been rewarded for all his spells with a proportionate number of wickets. It is not, says Johnson, a major concern.

"Sid's not too fussed at the moment," he said. "He hasn't spoken about it too much. He's still pretty pumped up and he's doing a great job for us. He might not be getting rewards but he is still a big part of the side, tying down ends or being aggressive. He's still doing a great job for us. Doug brings a lot of energy to the side and he is great to have around."