Top wicket-taker in the 2007 series with 14 wickets, Mitchell Johnson says he is raring to go once more on Indian wickets.

By Faisal Kamal

Faisal Kamal: What targets have you set for yourself against India this time?

Mitchell Johnson: India are a good side. I'd love to do well and see my team win. But you never approach a series thinking about numbers or wickets. I have worked hard, done my preparation, physical and mental. Will try to come in full steam and go for wickets. It's as simple as that.

FK: You have emerged as Australia's strike bowler. Has it changed anything in terms of responsibility?

MJ: I started opening the bowling in South Africa and when I came to England the pressure obviously increased. The expectations of your team and the pressure from you guys (media) are massive. But yes it has made me more responsible. If you look at it from a different perspective, I was more concerned about living up to my own expectations. Each ball was a challenge that I had to put it right. That certainly helps you grow as a player.

FK: Brett Lee predicts a 7-0 whitewash. Your thoughts?

MJ: Yes! I will go with the same prediction (Laughs). On a serious note, everybody plays to win. We would like to win every match we play. India are a good opposition, but I think we should be able to win the series 4-3 or 5-2. We have had reasonable success in the recent past. Drubbing England 6-1 in their backyard was a big boost and then defending the Champions Trophy. India are a tough team to beat at home but we certainly have our tails up.

FK: Is the 7-match series too long?

MJ: Well, some might say that it's too long, but it's fine with me. I mean in a 7-match series you have enough time to get back at each other. Even if you win 3-in-a-row, the opposition can still win four games. I agree that a one-sided series might get boring, but then it's the quality of cricket that defines every contest. We were 6-0 up against England, but look how they came back to win the last match convincingly. So ultimately it's the quality of cricket that matters.

FK: You, Lee, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger: Is it a good enough bowling attack to test the Indian batting?

MJ: I hope that our bowlers are able to test the Indian batsmen. That's the reason why we are here. With Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag coming into the side after injuries, the Indian batting sure looks pretty good. It is always tough bowling in Indian conditions. Back home, the wickets are fast and bouncy, but in India you have to work to get wickets. I always take that as a challenge. All the bowlers in our side can work up good pace and that probably will hold us in good stead.

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FK: What are the bowling adjustments you tend to make when you come to India? 

MJ: In Indian conditions I rely on variation. You tend to rely on the slower deliveries and the leg-cutters and off-cutters. It's all about adaptability as well. You have to be very tight with your line as well. One can also utilize the early swing and also reverse it when the ball is old. But ultimately, pace is my weapon and I am going to use it. There was a time that I wanted to swing the ball desperately and it didn't swing at all. I mean if I swing the ball it's a bonus. I wasn't picked in the side to swing the ball.

FK: Your cool persona does not reflect your deadly bowling. Is it a conscious decision to keep it that way?

MJ: No, I tried to put up an aggressive act in England, they didn't like it. But yes I am like that. I try and speak with my bowling rather then my attitude. It works for me. Some guys really get worked up and that fires them up in their bowling as well, while others just stay cool. I tend to be very relaxed and still bowl at a tear-away pace and trouble the batsman.

FK: You have showed a lot of promise in the batting department. Looking for an all-rounder's role in the coming years?

MJ: (Smiles) Why not? The game has evolved, utility cricketers are needed and I am rising to the challenge. You never know one day I may open the batting for Australia. Actually, I would love to (open batting) in the ODIs and even T20s. In Test cricket though, batting at No. 8 would be ideal for me, with Brad Haddin coming before me. I have always enjoyed my batting. Even in the nets, whenever I do get a chance I do pad up and hit around for a while. It's good to expand your horizons and keep growing as a cricketer. That probably will keep you charged.

FK: In an age where wives and girlfriends are much talked about, don't you feel proud to have one of the most beautiful girls in Australia as your fiancee? 

MJ: (Blushing) Well! obviously I am proud to have such a sweet girl by my side. Everyone's different but to me personally I feel good if she is around with me on a tour. She is very supportive and understands what we need to do at different times. We don't get a lot of time together, but whatever time we spend is ‘quality time'. (Johnson's fiancee Jessica Bratich, is a former karate champion and a bonze medal winner in the Finland world championship in 2006. Jessica is also an upcoming designer).

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