Mitchell Johnson is likely to be given a reprieve in the second Test in Johannesburg, but captain Michael Clarke says the wayward left-armer knows he is running out of last chances.
Johnson was largely ineffective in Australia's first-up loss to South Africa in Cape Town, continuing his string of inconsistent form over the past 18 months.
Clarke will not announce his final XI until before the match on Thursday morning (7:30pm AEDT) and, although under pressure, it appears as though Johnson will hold his spot, at least for now.
With Pat Cummins expected to come into the attack, the skipper hinted Johnson's left-arm point-of-difference might save him ahead of Peter Siddle who is also fighting for his spot.
However, Clarke says he has made it clear to Johnson that the uniqueness of his southpaw delivery will not be enough to save him for the Australian summer if he continues to fail.
"Yeah he knows. I speak to Mitch all the time," said Clarke.
"Mitch has no qualms about where he sits. He wants to be bowling at his best as well.
"He wants to be bowling fast and swinging the ball because he knows he's as good as any player in the world when he's doing that."
With the exception of the Perth Ashes Test last December, Johnson has not managed a significant haul since he decimated New Zealand in March 2010.
However, no doubt contributing to Clarke's inkling to give Johnson another crack is how well the 30-year-old bowled at The Wanderers in Johannesburg in January 2009.
In the first innings of Australia's comfortable win, Johnson took 4 for 25 from 18.1 overs and seven maidens. In the second dig, he backed up with 4 for 112 from 34.2 overs.
The eight-wicket haul was engineered by his famed swing, accuracy and pace. It is a lethal combination but, unfortunately for Australia, it has produced all too rarely.
"I'm full of confidence knowing that he's coming off bowling really well and swinging the ball nicely and bowling at a good pace," said Clarke.
"I think his pace is still there which is a great sign. He probably just needs some conditions to be able to swing it a bit more. He swung it last time we played here.
"He's got potential ... well, potential is not the right word. He's played for long enough. His statistics show how good a bowler he is. But we need him to be at his best."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, south-africa, australia First posted November 16, 2011 16:33:49
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