Cricket World Cup: Mitchell Johnson back to best as Aussie pacemen rout India at the SCG

MITCHELL Johnson has played support act all World Cup, but at the SCG with the tournament on the line, the Aussie spearhead returned to the lead role.

Who needs spin? Pace proves to be Aussie ace

MITCHELL Johnson has played support act all World Cup, but on Thursday night with the tournament on the line, the Aussie spearhead returned to the lead role.

Damien Fleming tweeted before play even started that there was more life on Mars than on this SCG wicket.

But who needs a spinner when you’ve got the best fast bowling attack in the world?

Mitchell Johnson celebrates his big wicket of Virat Kohli.

Australia left their No.1 spinner Nathan Lyon out of their World Cup squad, and their tweaker of choice Xavier Doherty out of their XI for a match where experts were tipping the conditions to turn.

Perhaps it highlighted a selection error that Doherty was picked for this tournament in the first place, if there was no confidence to play him on such an occasion.

But it also reflected Australia’s aggressive attitude that they can out-pace any batting line-up in the world, regardless of the conditions.

It was a group effort from the attack on Thursday night, but Johnson returned as their spiritual leader.

After Josh Hazlewood proved beyond doubt that selectors were right to go with him over Pat Cummins for the big matches, the game teetered on a precipice with India 1-76.

Mitchell Johnson was certainly pumped to face India.

Enter Johnson, who for 18 months straight seems to have perpetually been turning at the top of his mark to charge in again.

But with all the energy in the world, Johnson recaptured the fire that’s made him the world’s most feared bowler when the tournament was on the line.

Virat Kohli, India’s great hope, was conquered by Johnson – a feeble attempt at a hook gobbled up by Brad Haddin behind the stumps.

It was a rally call to his fellow attack dogs, but if it wasn’t loud enough – Johnson roared again two overs later.

Cannoning through the helpless defences of set opener Rohit Sharma, Johnson got down low and couldn’t clinch his fists any harder as he charged past the batsmen to celebrate.

Josh Hazlewood bowled better than his figures would suggest.

The roar was defeaning and the wicket vital – and the Australians responded.

James Faulkner, after being punished by Shikhar Dhawan early fought back for three wickets.

Hazlewood – with two dropped catches off his bowling – deserved more than his 1-41 – but teammates new his worth.

Starc - the player of the tournament so far - was restricted to two, but more importantly he restricted the Indians – with a match-defining economy rate of just 3.16 from his 8.2 overs.

Now it’s New Zealand.

The only side to have beaten Australia this tournament, but also the team that knows the Aussies’ bowling power like no one else.

Starc and co almost defended 151 in Auckland, and they go to the MCG with their tails up and their spearhead Johnson back in business.