Johnson expects England response

Mitchell Johnson has made it clear Australia will be expecting a response from England following the hosts’ comprehensive 381-run victory to win the opening Ashes series in Brisbane. Despite beginning this Ashes series as clear underdogs with Betfair, Australia made light work of England’s batting order to take a 1-0 lead in the series, with Johnson playing a key role with both bat and ball at the Gabba in an extremely promising display.

The left-arm paceman claimed nine wickets in the match as the hosts crushed England with a day to spare, knocking a timely 64 with the bat in the first innings when the Aussies were against the ropes to help his side out of trouble. But it was Johnson’s aggressive (and accurate) bowling which really saw the 32-year old step up to the plate and show how important he might be in this series for Australia.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start. But all the guys had big performances throughout this Test match. We wanted to go 1-0 up here in 'Brissy'. We know last time what happened, so it's a very nice start. But that's all it is.”

“There's a long way to go and we know that England are going to come back hard,” admitted Johnson.

While the Barmy Army wasted little time in their attempts to get to Johnson like they have managed in the past, the bowler looked a different animal as he went about the English batsmen. Johnson’s performance is one of a number of reasons why the Ashes odds now have the Aussies are strong favourites with Betfair to go on and win this series. But while Johnson has enjoyed a strong start to this Ashes series, the question will be whether or not he can maintain it over the course of five Test matches. 

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