Things were not looking good from Australia’s perspective after their loss in the 1st Ashes Test at the Sophia Gardens. They were trailing in the series, while veteran Brad Haddin was also doubtful for the 2nd Ashes Test.
Australia, against the odds, made inroad into the series with a comprehensive win in the 2nd Ashes Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. The visitors even without Haddin and Shane Watson managed to level the series.
The Michael Clarke-led side dominated the play right from the first day, and despite losing Chris Rogers owing to dizziness in the second innings they thumped England quite convincingly.
Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson, after Australia 2nd Ashes Test win, said they were not concerned after the 1st Ashes Test, despite the parallels were drawn with England’s Ashes series loss last summer.
“There was no panic – that was the thing; we weren’t panicking after the first Test loss,” Johnson explained. “We were disappointed with the way we played.
“England played well, but we weren’t panicking – we knew we’d been playing good cricket, it just had to come down to bowling in partnerships and batting in partnerships, and we were able to do that here,” he added.
Johnson, meanwhile, looked in pretty good rhythm in the 2nd Ashes Test and played crucial role in wrecking England’s top-order in both innings. The Aussie, however, was far from his best in the 1st Ashes Test.
“I’ve felt good in these two Test matches and I feel like I’m bowling at my best; very consistent, the ball’s swinging, bowling fast when I need to, so I just want to keep playing my best cricket,” Johnson said.
“I think we’ve almost played the perfect Test match to be honest, if we have a look at it,” he added. “We’ve played very well, we’ve come back from a first Test loss and we’ve been able to use the conditions.”
