Player: | MG Johnson, RT Ponting |
Event: | Australia in British Isles 2009 |
DateLine: 30th July 2009
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has backed Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson to recapture his pre-Ashes form as the left-armer braces up for the third Test.
 
Johnson has been a pale shadow of the bowler who helped Australia's victory over South Africa during the winter. He has failed miserably in the two clashes with England at Cardiff and Lord's. 
But skipper Ponting believes even the game's greatest players go through below-par spells and he has faith in Johnson to again be a major force. 
"I think a lot of the senior players and (bowling coach) Troy Cooley and the coaching staff have had a fair share of input with Mitchell over the last few weeks," Ponting said. 
"With anyone in that situation, you have got to be careful it is not an information overload thing as well. 
"Mitchell is still relatively new to the game and sometimes the more information you give can cloud their minds a little bit. 
"I had a good chat to him at Northampton before the game and just told him to focus on getting the basics right and make sure when he walked away he was feeling as good as he possibly could. I think as the game progressed, he did get a little bit better." 
"I have seen him bowl better and he feels he will have bowled better throughout his career as well. 
"But every player I've ever played with has those ups and downs in their career. For Mitchell it is a real confidence thing at the moment, and we are hoping we see some good stuff over the next few days. 
"With Mitchell, it has been about giving him a pat on the back and letting him know you are all there helping him and trying to help and support him. 
"That is the same with any other guy. Everyone I've played this game with, superstars or young players, goes through periods when they don't feel totally on top of things."LATEST SCORES
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