Fiery Johnson heats up

Sportal August 3, 2009, 7:36 am

His radar no longer dysfunctional, Mitchell Johnson answered Shane Warne's call for more on-field hostility as the third Test at Edgbaston sprung to life on Sunday night.

Warne lamented earlier in the Test there was not enough aggression out in the middle but would have been rapt with what he saw on the fourth day.

Emotions from both sides raged as a match seemed destined for a draw due to rain on Saturday suddenly became winnable for England.

And Johnson, constantly reminded of his poor form this tour by a raucous and partisan Edgbaston crowd, displayed aggression not sighted in recent weeks.

The left-armer was involved in three heated confrontations - including two in an ill-tempered final session - none more fiery than his head to head with Stuart Broad.

Broad, the most unlikely of antagonists, was involved in an incident with Peter Siddle in Cardiff earlier this series.

This time he and Johnson stood inches from each other while sharing an angry exchange.

Johnson, whose figures of 2-85 did not do justice to how well he bowled, also traded salvos with Andrew Flintoff, who made a game-turning 74, and the gregarious Graeme Swann.

In the final over of the day, opener Shane Watson told James Anderson to go away in Australian in response to the in-form England paceman giving him an earful after beating his bat.

Flintoff denied tempers had frayed, saying the match had been played in good spirit.

"The lads are going hard and obviously the Australians as well they play tough," he said.

"So I think you're making a meal of it."

Australia paceman Ben Hilfenhaus said the behaviour was merely the result of two fiercely competitive teams squaring off.

"We're out there having a battle out there, aren't we?" he said.

"It's always a little bit of a duel out there, how different players do that is up to them, it just keeps the game interesting."

The Edgbaston crowd, which has belittled its Australian counterparts with a series of cheeky songs, has also created a cauldron.

"It's probably the best atmosphere you play on in the country," Flintoff said.

"It has helped us from start to finish and it has helped us in the past and hopefully it will help us tomorrow."

"I'm sure ticket sales for tomorrow have gone through the roof and we'll be playing in front of a full house again."

"And I'm sure the crowd will get behind us and it does give a big lift to the lads."

Send
- Email
- IM
Share

Show:

Newest First

Oldest First

1 - 10 of 84

First Page | < Previous | Next > | Last Page

84 Comments

Post your comment

adam u 05:19pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
we won't get a reply out of josh until he's finished his homework.....
alexander j 04:59pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
Josh, what an apt name. You do understand that the Ashes permanently remain in England. When Australia win a series, they are given a token replica.
adam u 04:43pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
they're slipping out of your grubby, sweaty little fingers though aren't they josh. your loan period is nearly over....
Josh 04:38pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
Lets just remind ourselves who has the ashes.. oh yeah Australia. Hope you poms didn't forget
adam u 04:25pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
the convicts have gone quiet..........
adam u 04:06pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
well desn me' old fruit, when i left the beautiful country i had to find somewhere i wouldn't feel homesick, and brisbane fits the description perfectly - queensland = property of the queen. and every time i pull your mickey mouse coinage out of my pocket i realise that i am, in fact ...
DesN 03:36pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
Adam u You took the bait like the big mouthed groper that you are. A Pom living in Brisbane? What the hell did Brisbane do to deserve a fool like you. I won't answer anymore of your drivel! I have a life to live. How are you travelling? What a goose!!!!!
Mick D 03:24pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
The fact is that we Aussies are POOR LOSERS and BOORISH WINNERS! We have NEVER been beaten by a BETTER SIDE in ANY sport! The 'others' either cheated or the Umpires got it all wrong! ...or (God forbid) our batsmen let us down again! BOO HOO! Hold ya nose and swallow your medicine ...
adam u 03:24pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
god desn, you still harping on about the underarm incident??? oh, and don't patronise me, i'm not, by any stretch, your lesser.
adam u 03:13pm Monday 03rd August 2009 EST Report Abuse
i live in brisbane - i know, we all make mistakes - but ted j's playgorund insults are, unfortunately, typical of the biggoted, uneducated bull@#$% i've also endured since i've been here (6 years). i wear my england shirt around brisbane with pride, and my favourite pastime i ...