Cricket World Cup 2015: Mitchell Johnson says England, like all teams, are under pressure

MITCHELL Johnson has started the mind games and warned England there’s nowhere to hide ahead of the World Cup opener in Melbourne.

Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England batsman England batsman Eoin Morgan during the tri-series one-day cricket final between England and Australia at the WACA in Perth on February 1, 2015.   AFP PHOTO / TONY ASHBY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

MITCHELL Johnson has warned England there’s nowhere to hide ahead of the World Cup opener in Melbourne, adamant his powers of intimidation can be as effective as they were last Ashes series.

The Australian spearhead struck hard in Perth on Sunday and has encouraged England to wake up to themselves and realise there’s a storm of pressure coming at the MCG on February 14.

England captain Eoin Morgan dug an even deeper hole for his battling team when he embarrassingly tried to dismiss Johnson’s powers and argue his team isn’t under pressure.

Johnson tore the heart out of England with the red ball last summer and believes he can incite just as much fear with the white rock.

Morgan’s feeble denials, and the way he was clean bowled in Perth, would suggest the Johnson effect has already taken hold.

Eoin Morgan is bowled by Mitchell Johnson during the tri-series final after leaving the ball.

“I am a fast bowler who loves to bowl fast and I don’t mind bowling that short ball,” said Johnson.

“That’s what I have always tried to do in all forms of the game.

“You have to adapt. Sometimes it’s not going to work as much and I’ll have to go to plan B … but using that short ball definitely worked for me (in the final).

“Every team is under pressure — it’s a World Cup.

“I think they (England) are dreaming if they think they’re not under pressure.”

Johnson is hopeful he is back to top speed after his pace dropped during an arduous Test series against India.

However, he admits there’s some chance his thunderbolts won’t always be delivered when opening the bowling in the World Cup.

While Johnson is undoubtedly still Australia’s go-to man, man-of-the-series Mitchell Starc has proven he can be just as lethal with the new ball in his hands.

Mitchell Johnson wheels away in celebration after dismissing James Taylor.

Only one left-armer and one Mitchell can open, and Johnson is prepared to take a back seat and bowl first change — as he did in the tri-series final — if required.

Either way, Australia is capable of sustaining a frightening initial onslaught of fast bowling at this World Cup.

“We have to think about what is best for our team and if it’s me coming in at first change I’m happy to do that,” said Johnson.

“I have always said I love opening the bowling for my country but it’s something we will talk about in team meetings and I will talk to Darren (Lehmann) and George (Bailey).

“I have confidence because I have opened the bowling, bowled first-change, second-change and in power plays — so I am happy to bowl anywhere to be honest.”

Meanwhile, like a lot of players in Australian cricket, Johnson lost some of his drive in the wake of the Phillip Hughes tragedy.

In the first Test back in Adelaide, the 33-year-old was visibly distressed when he hit Indian captain Virat Kohli in the helmet with a searing bouncer.

It’s taken Johnson time to get his head around it and his month on the sidelines after the Boxing Day Test was just as much about a mental refresh as a physical recharge.

Hitting batsmen will quite rightly never feel the same again for Johnson or fast bowlers around the world, but the game’s No. 1 wicket-taker has vowed to continue playing his game.

“It’s probably changed a little bit since Phil to be honest,” he said.

“It probably did that to everyone.

“Everyone was a bit funny about it at first but it’s part of the game and I’m still going to bowl short balls.

“That sets up a wicket for me.

“I will continue to bowl it.”