Thommo backs Johnson

Jeff Thomson, one of the all time great fast bowlers, and now a respected TV commentator believes Mitchell Johnson is ready to claim an Ashes birth.

Thomson was impressed with the 24 year old speedster during the recent tri-series between the West Indies, India and Australia in Malaysia.

“I just think he (Johnson) did pretty well for himself over there, he’s quicker than the others,” Thomson said.

Thomson was also impressed with New South Wales bowler Stuart Clark: “Mind you having said that, Stuart Clark hasn’t done too much wrong either but it will be out of those two I think, Johnson and Stuart Clark.”

The Australian attack is expected to feature three quick bowlers for the upcoming Ashes series, with Glen McGrath and Brett Lee expected to fill two of the positions with the third possibly coming down to a choice between Johnson and Clark.

Thomson also believes the England bowlers will not be as influential in Australian conditions.

“They haven’t got the same blokes and they won’t get the same assistance they had there over here.”

“It just doesn’t do the same on harder wickets and all that sort of thing. Blokes like (Matthew) Hoggard and that have struggled out here before because it doesn’t get the seam and the swing, so they have got their problems.”