Eighteen months after battering the confidence of English batsmen, Mitchell Johnson has been fine-tuning his preparations for Wednesday's Ashes opener in Cardiff by peppering his Australian teammates in the nets.
Australia all-rounder and paceman Mitchell Johnson celebrates a wicket. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The left-arm quick took 37 wickets at an average of 13.97 in the 2013-14 series as Michael Clarke's side regained the urn with a 5-0 whitewash on home soil.
Johnson will let rip against England this week, but he's already been wreaking havoc on members of his own side.
"He's bowling fast and he's swinging them as well which I think is the biggest thing for Mitch," Adam Voges said.
"There's always been genuine pace but when he's swinging the ball at that pace he's a different proposition.
"He's as ready to go as he possibly can be. I'm sure he's going to play a huge part in this series."
Australia's bowling coach Craig McDermott believes Johnson has tapered his preparations perfectly for the Ashes following a relatively quiet recent series against the West Indies.
"Everyone who's been through the World cup and to the IPL in particular took a bit of time to get back into their work," McDermott said.
"Jonno's arm path has got a bit better over here, a bit higher and he's got his seam in a better position, and he's just got a real spring in his step at the minute.
"That's good for us and hopefully not good for the Poms."
