Sydney, Jan 2 (IANS) Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has expressed disappointment at the ‘batting friendly’ wickets dished out to India in the first three Tests, hoping to get a pace-oriented pitch at the fourth Test in Sydney, starting Tuesday.
Johnson spoke of his displeasure at the tracks prepared for the three Tests at Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne that favoured the batsman-oriented visiting team.
“There was a lot of talk when they beat us 4-0 (in India) that they were looking forward to coming over to our fast bouncy wickets. But it has been a little bit disappointing that they haven’t been as good as a fast bowler would like.”
“I even thought the ‘Gabba’ wasn’t the normal ‘Gabba’. There was a bit of bounce there but it just wasn’t the same. Wickets have been suited for the batters more than anything,” Johnson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au Friday.
In the three Tests against India this summer, the 33-year-old has 13 wickets at 35.53 to be second-highest wicket taker behind spinner Nathan Lyon.
Australia have called left-arm spinner Ashton Agar in their squad for the fourth match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a venue known traditionally for assisting spinners.
“Ashton Agar is in the squad so I guess they are thinking that there may be a bit of turn on this SCG wicket,” Johnson said.
“We will just have to see what the wicket is like and the selectors will make that decision,” he added.