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Johnson could fire again in Adelaide, warns Lehmann
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has warned England that paceman Mitchell Johnson could fire again in the second Ashes Test next week, even if the Adelaide Oval serves up a relatively docile surface.
Johnson was back to his brilliant, pacy best in the first Test at the Gabba, claiming Man of the Match honours with a haul of 9-103 - including 5-42 in the second innings - to drive the hosts to a 381-run victory and a 1-0 series lead.
- Ashes: It's pretty much a war of words on the pitch
The 32-year-old was dropped from the second Ashes Test three years ago after a disappointing Gabba outing but this time Lehmann believes he could reprise his Brisbane blitz even on the new drop-in wicket in South Australia.
"It depends what we get in Adelaide, we don't know," he told reporters. "But he bowled beautifully here. He was aggressive, got bounce and had confidence.
"I have been impressed with him on the ground and off the ground too. He can do it on any pitch with his speed and velocity."
'He will be wayward but when he is good he is very good'
Johnson's haul in the Ashes opener took him to 214 Test wickets in 52 tests and while England will not look forward to facing him at Perth on this form, there will always be question marks about him because of his sometimes erratic bowling.
"He's in a good spot," Lehmann added. "We want all players to improve every day.
"He will be wayward but you accept that but when he is good he is very good and exciting like in this test."
Lehmann seems to be getting the best out of Johnson
Lehmann seems to be getting the best out of Johnson and the former Test batsman has clearly been a factor behind the renewed confidence with which Australia played at Brisbane.
"The Lehmann influence on this Australian side is incredibly noticeable," another former Australian Test cricketer, Jason Gillespie, Tweeted at the weekend.
"Clear, simple plans. Backing players publicly and privately. Positive environment. Aggressive cricket."
Lehmann knows the importance of momentum in Test series, no more so than in the Ashes, and wants his team to drive home the advantage they grabbed with their first win in 10 matches.
'There are still four Tests to go'
We played well but the next test is a different kettle of fish. We have some good plans, we like what we are doing but we start from scratch in Adelaide," Lehmann said.
"There are still four Tests to go. We have to go to Adelaide and play the same brand of cricket. We are not looking too far ahead.
"We're going to concentrate on the first day in Adelaide. We're going to try to live in the present, enjoy the moment but move on."
Lehmann took over from the sacked Mickey Arthur just before the 3-0 Ashes series defeat in England and has an ambition for the team, currently ranked fifth in the world, that one Test win will not satisfy.
"We're miles off from where we want to be," he said. "We want to keep improving, not just in cricket but in life. The players know that, as do the coaching staff."
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