By Justin Chadwick
He has been plugging away on the dust bowl pitches of India, but Australian pace ace Mitchell Johnson already has England on edge heading into this summer's return Ashes series.
Johnson was overlooked for Australia's 3-0 Ashes loss in England earlier this year, but is a strong chance to earn a Test recall following a spate of injuries to the nation's pace stocks.
Young pace trio Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins are all battling worrying back injuries, while veteran Ryan Harris only recently recovered from a hamstring tear.
Johnson looms as Australia's X-factor during the Ashes, and it seems England are already quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing the rejuvenated 31-year-old.
England don't have any left-arm pacemen in their 17-man Ashes squad.
But with Johnson looming as a likely starter for the Ashes opener in Brisbane, starting on November 21, England have rushed over left-arm county speedsters Tymal Mills and Harry Gurney to give the team vital batting practice against lefties.
Johnson took 15 wickets in four Tests when England last toured Australia three years ago, including a match haul of 9-82 in Australia's 267-run win at the WACA Ground.
England captain Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson and Graeme Swann all fell victim to Johnson in that match.
Cook hopes the presence of Mills and Gurney will get his team ready for a potential Johnson onslaught.
"You can do as much replication of it with throw downs and bowling machines, but the real thing of bowling left arm and getting your angles right (is crucial)," Cook said on Saturday.
"That's the reason they have come over here. Obviously, it's great practice and great experience for them, but they are very much there to bowl to us."
Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen is set to link up with the squad on Sunday after being granted compassionate leave following the death of a friend.
England arrived in Australia on Friday, and will dust off the cobwebs with a three-day tour match against a Western Australia XI, starting at the WACA on Thursday.
One player who definitely won't feature is paceman Tim Bresnan, who is still recovering from stress fractures in his back.
Bresnan isn't expected to be bowling at full pace until later next month, and Cook isn't sure when the 28-year-old will be ready for Test duties.
"Obviously, he plays a very key part in our side when he is fully fit," Cook said on Saturday.
"The reports from the medical team were that his best chance of recovery was with us.
"That's why he is here; the physios and he can get every single day treatment and that kind of stuff. Hopefully, he can make some good progress.
"But we'll only know when he starts bowling again and I'm not totally sure.
"We don't know how his back is going to react."
England are favourites to win a fourth straight Ashes series.