Johnson backs Aussie bowling change

| | London
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Johnson backs Aussie bowling change

Tuesday, 13 August 2019 | AFP | London

Former Australia quick Mitchell Johnson says he would make one change to Australia’s XI for the second Ashes Test, with Mitch Starc to replace James Pattinson for the clash.

Johnson can also see veteran Peter Siddle playing all five Tests in the series having impressed in the first Test at Edgbaston where Australia won by 251 runs.

The iconic slope at Lord’s, which drops 2.5 metres across the playing surface, is why Johnson would draft in Starc for Pattinson for the second Test despite the Victorian’s successful comeback to international cricket in Birmingham.

“I’d go for Starc and probably have Pattinson out,” Johnson told cricket.com.au.

“As much as I want to see (Josh) Hazlewood go well you can’t drop Sidds.

“He’s been really useful and especially on the slope I think he’d be very good and he just backed up (off-spinner Nathan) Lyon really well.

“And (Pat) Cummins is in his own little world, just leave him be.

Johnson continued: “It’s hard to change a winning side but I’d like to see Starc still come charging in.

“The slope comes into it, big time. Left-armer, bit of a different angle.

“We saw in the last Test the (Australian fast bowlers) coming around the wicket a fair bit … I’m not too sure about that. Someone’s got to stay over and one around to left-hand batters.

“So maybe a left-hand bowler would be ideal.”

Starc was overlooked for the first Test but bowled with his trademark pace and hostility in Australia’s tour match against Worcestershire at new Road, where he captured 2-56 from 15.5 overs.

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