Mitchell Johnson: Will continue to bowl bouncers and be aggressive

Mitchell Johnson

Following the unfortunate death of Phillip Hughes, who was hit on the side of his head by a Sean Abbott bouncer, one was uncertain if such a delivery would be bowled with the same ferocity again. However, tearaway Australian quick and one of his side’s heroes in the 5-0 Ashes win at home last year, Mitchell Johnson has said that Australia have succeeded by playing an aggressive brand of cricket and if it means that they need to bowl the short ball, then so be it.

“We've got to play the way that we've been playing and that's been aggressive.

“That's the way I've always played the game and if that's bowling the short ball like we have been, then that's how we'll do it. We'll assess the conditions obviously, but we're not going to change a thing," Johnson said.

The 33-year-old picked up 37 wickets in the Ashes last year and peppered the England batsman with the short-pitched ball on a consistent basis.

"I've been bowling very aggressive for the last 18 months and I'm not going to change that. I'm not sure. It might be different (reaction) this time. I haven't hit anyone yet so I don't know how I'm going to feel," he added.

However, even Johnson admitted that he too would feel a little hesitant on Tuesday morning to bowl the delivery, following the events at Sydney a couple of weeks ago.

"Everyone is different and for me for my first session it was a case of just getting back into it.I didn't bowl a bouncer until late in the first session, the more I've bowled the better I've felt,” the left-arm pacer said.