Australia vs Pakistan, first Test: Mitchell Johnson calls on selectors to back Lance Morris this summer

Mitchell Johnson has kept the pressure on the Australian Test team by declaring it is about to undergo a period of “dramatic change”, calling on selectors to act preemptively with rising pace tyro Lance Morris.

Mitchell Johnson has kept the pressure on the Australian Test team by declaring it is about to undergo a period of “dramatic change.’’

Johnson, who last week caused national headlines when his Sunday column in The West Australian lashed David Warner and George Bailey, has called for the inclusion of Lance “Wild Thing’’ Morris in the first Test of the summer against Pakistan in Perth on Thursday.

It would be the first move of what he sees as a major generational shift coming for the team.

“With Perth likely to present a fast and bouncy pitch, there would be no better place for the young tearaway to steam in for his Test debut,’’ Johnson wrote.

“Spots are up for grabs as the Australian Test team prepares to enter a period of dramatic change, with eight of the likely XI to face Pakistan in the first Test at Optus Stadium this week aged 32 or older,’’ Johnson wrote in his Sunday column.

“At 29, Marnus Labuschagne is the youngest player in the expected line-up.

“It’s funny remembering back to when I was injured at 30 and trying to get myself back into the team. I was hearing plenty of noise that 30 was too old as a fast bowler and that it was an age when you have peaked or are starting to slide out of your best form.”

Mitchell Johnson has called for Lance Morris to be selected against Pakistan. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Johnson, who will commentate for Triple M in Perth, has urged Australia to use this summer to plan for tougher times ahead.

“It’s the building of the future that Australia must be looking at. But as we were reminded this week, there are few topics in Australian sport that raise as much passion as a player’s position in the nation’s XI.

“Looking at our current Test team, I would like to see the inclusion of an outright quick bowler. A bit like Mitchell Starc when he came into Test cricket and his raw pace and swing gave us a new edge.

“This summer is a great opportunity to blood some young or performing players, especially when it’s against two teams in Pakistan and the West Indies who have struggled in Australia for a decent period of time.

“Fast bowler Lance Morris, 25, should be the first of those.

“Tall left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi will be one to watch at Opus Stadium. I was impressed the last time he toured Australia having watched him bowl live and his experience and better knowledge of the conditions should be an asset.

“He will need to be backed up by his bowling partners for Pakistan to have success and that includes their fielding. The other player I’m looking forward to watching is the captain Shan Masood and that was even before his double-century in the tour game this week.‘’

Originally published as Australia vs Pakistan, first Test: Mitchell Johnson calls on selectors to back Lance Morris this summer