Mitchell Johnson on verge of becoming 4th Australian to claim 40 or more wickets in Ashes

Johnson can be 4th Aussie to claim 40 scalps in Ashes

Sydney: Dec 28, 2013

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson is on the verge of capping his impressive international comeback by being only the fourth Australian bowler to collect 40 or more wickets in a Test series against England in the 130 years the two combatants have gone head to head.

The three other Australians to have that honour are Terry Alderman, who claimed 42 in 1981 and 41 in 1989, Rodney Hogg (41 in 1978-79) and Shane Warne (40 in 2005), with Alderman and Hogg making the mark in six-match series.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Johnson, with 28 to his name with an innings remaining in Melbourne and the fifth Test in Sydney next Friday, is within sight of entering that category, having reached speeds of 155.8kmph in front of a world-record crowd on Boxing Day and continuing his burst on the second day with three scalps.

Johnson’s latest scintillating spell included a return of five for 14 over 42 balls either side of stumps on day one, with his figures being 18-37 at an average of 2.1 each wicket in his four prolific periods of the Ashes this year, the report added.