Can England stop Mitchell Johnson?

Mitchell Johnson has rattled the English

Mitchell Johnson is a major threat for England’s batsmen as he steps on to his home turf at the WACA on Friday.

The Australian seamer destroyed England’s batting line up with ease as he took a career best 7-40 against England in Adelaide.

The 32-year-old has taken 36 wickets in his last 5 games in Perth, making it his favourite wicket to bowl on in recent matches.

The WACA has a naturally hard and bouncy surface, perfect for Johnson and the Australian premier quicks in Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris.

Siddle, the top Australian wicket taker from the tour of England has yet to fire in this series.

So far, Johnson has had an outstanding series and has taken a total of 17 wickets in 2 matches in the Ashes Down Under.

England, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from finding themselves 2-0 down to an Australian side they beat with ease only four months ago.

The last time a team has come back from 2-0 down in the Ashes was 80 years ago when Don Bradman led his side out of the woods in the 1936/37 series.

England captain Alastair Cook will play his 100th Test and face arguably his toughest challenge to date as skipper.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s of little relevance now (regarding his 100th Test), because it’s about trying to turn this series around. It’s a nice little milestone to have personally, but the big picture is about trying to get a better performance out of ourselves.

“Our confidence has taken a hit after the first two matches but the squad has made a real conscious effort. We have to look forward, rather than look back.”

The 28 year-old has been short on form so far in the series, but hopes that previous successes at the WACA will spur himself on.

Two huge defeats of 381 runs in Brisbane and 218 runs in Adelaide have left England shocked and the wicket at Perth only favours more Australian dominance.

However if current England form batsman Joe Root fires again from his newly adopted batting position, England could well be within a chance and cause an upset in Perth.

Root contributed a magnificent 87 to a 111-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen batting at number 3 which gave the Brits a slim chance in Adelaide.

Overall though, Australia are undoubtedly the favourites in the match after embarrassing England so far in the series.