Ashes 2017-18: Mitchell Johnson expects more from lethal Mitchell Starc

Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson who was the chief architect with the red-ball in 2013-14 Ashes home series feels his national speedster Mitchell Starc is yet to become fully effective in the ongoing Magellan Ashes 2017-18 series in which the Steven Smith’s side is already leading the series 3-0.

Johnson, who has witnessed and subsequently experienced the toll on his body, added Starc must take care of his workload as he is in such a prolific form with the ball to bask the glory for Australia.

“He [Mitchell Starc] is still in his late 20s, he’s in his prime and he’s just got to look after his body,” Johnson told Cricket Australia.

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Johnson, who stated one, has to learn even after finishing up the career, as he hung his boots in 2015 in Perth, before Starc grabbed the headlines for his accuracy and ability to wrap up the tail with his deadly yorkers.

Pertinently, at the home soil, Johnson had blown away England batsmen which further saw him completing the series with 37 scalps under his belt, as the visitors led by the then skipper Alastair Cook were whitewashed 5-0.

The Queensland-based 36-year-old left-arm paceman Johnson reiterated the pace gun is supposed to do a lot owing to the improvement in the gentleman’s game after being marred by multiple injuries.

“He’s got some room to improve, because you’re always learning throughout your career. He’s managed them [injury] quite well,” Johnson said.

With Australia totally in command against the Three Lions at WACA in the ongoing Perth Test, Starc claimed 18 wickets in five Test innings so far, as England has already started off their second innings which saw them struggling at 73 for three in 19.2 overs before the rain stopped play on the fourth afternoon.

Piling up the miseries for England, the Kangaroos bowlers worked hard to pick the wickets which further saw the New South Wales-based 27-year-old fast bowler leading the charts of most wicket takers in the ongoing traditional Ashes.

Johnson believes Starc has led from the front and shouldered the responsibility to bear fruitful results for his side in particular.

Interestingly, Johnson claimed 19 wickets during his prime in the same number of innings Starc has played.

“He’s a hard worker, he’s determined, so I think all those factors come into it. He’s just starting to really understand his Test game,” Johnson observed while reiterating Starc has been consistent.

Important to figure out, Starc feels he is giving around 60 percent, according to Johnson.

As of now, Johnson is enjoying his commentary stint with BT Sport of England and Triple M station based-out in Australia.

“And for (Starc) to come out and say he’s a five or six out of 10 that’s pretty incredible,” Johnson said on Starc.

(Read Further: Ashes 2017/18: Michael Vaughan Blasts English Bowlers Over Lack of Variation)

Johnson also remarked he is enjoying watching Starc’s bowling spells with full steam, as the latter termed him as a ‘freak’.

“He’s a freak. I love watching him bowl. He backs his skills. That fierce yorker he bowls is unplayable,” Johnson further added.

Johnson, who played 73 Tests for Australia to claim 313 wickets, believes Starc’s aggression and early intent to go for wickets has been highly impressive.

“He’s the leader of the attack. I like when he gets a bit aggro. I think it makes him look more angry,” Johnson concluded.

So far in 59 innings of 39 Test fixtures, Starc managed to bag 166 wickets at an average of 27.56 which further saw him claiming eight five-wicket haul.