Johnson's form will have England licking their lips

It's rare that Australian and English cricket fans find a common ground. But Mitchell Johnson's stunning return to form has both sets of supporters thinking all their Christmases have come at once.

Johnson was back to his best in the Boxing Day Test, dismissing six Sri Lankan batsmen, injuring two and coming agonisingly close to his second Test century.

It was reminiscent of the form that saw him named international cricketer of the year in 2009. His bowling was hostile, his batting crisp and his confidence high.

But rather than one Test against a sub-standard Sri Lankan side, it's the looming Ashes series that will make or break the unpredictable left-armer.

Despite all his successes, Johnson has not had a great time of it against the Old Enemy.

For every brilliant performance against England (think Perth in 2010), there have been others that still haunt Johnson to this day.

His horror opening spell at Lord's in 2009. His Harmison-esque wide at the Gabba in 2010. And of course the infamous Barmy Army chant that became the anthem of two summers ago: "He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, Mitchell Johnson his bowling is shite."

Needless to say, Ashes cricket carries some deep mental scars for Johnson.

And the English, cocky as ever after an impressive series win in India, are already rolling out the welcome mat for Johnson's return to the Old Dart.

"If anything was designed to dispel the post-Christmas blues in soggy England, it is the thought that Johnson – a figure of fun during the 2010-11 Ashes – will be taking the field at Trent Bridge on July 10," wrote Lawrence Booth in The Daily Mail.

"The Barmy Army will be exercising their vocal chords."

The Twittersphere shared similar sentiments.

"Mitchell is going to play in the Ashes! Yessssssss!" was the tweet from English cricket blogger Peter Miller on Friday.

"Great news for England fans to wake up to: Mitchell Johnson has played himself into contention for The Ashes," tweeted Alternative Cricket to its 17,000 followers.

You get the picture.

Despite a 200-wicket Test career, England don't fear Johnson. In fact, they view him as their own secret weapon, a mentally fragile player who can be easily rattled.

Based on the past two Ashes series, that sentiment doesn't seem wide of the mark.

There is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and the first of 10 Ashes Tests in the next 12 months.

And with rotation policies and injuries the theme of the summer, it would be foolish to assume Johnson will make his second Ashes tour.

But if he is part of Australia's XI in Nottingham in July, England will like their chances of retaining the famous old urn.

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