Sydney, Jan 11 (IANS) Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has had a sudden change of heart and is eyeing the Indian Premier League (IPL) to regain his place in the Test team.
Johnson had shunned lucrative IPL contracts in 2008 to concentrate on his Test career. But now he feels that the high-profile Twenty20 league is the best way to resurrect his Test career.
The 30-year-old Johnson, who is recuperating from a toe surgery, won’t be considered for the upcoming West Indies tour in March and April but is hopeful he might be able to make his comeback in the IPL which runs through April-May.
‘I’m definitely confident in my ability. I’m only 30 years of age, I’ve got five or six years left in me so that’s my goal,’ said Johnson on Fox Sports.
Johnson was ruled out of international cricket for six months after undergoing an operation on big toe on his left foot last month. He insists that his international career was still not over despite the success of the new bowling attack this summer.
Johnson underwent the surgery after he severely damaged ligaments while batting Australia to victory in the second Test against South Africa in late November. Since then young fast bowlers Pat Cummins and James Pattinson have made brilliant starts to their Test careers and Johnson knows he has to work hard to regain his spot.
‘Whether I get back straight away or not we’ll have to find out but I’ll be working as hard as I can. (The IPL) wouldn’t be a bad way to get back into it, four-over spells, short and sharp. If not I’m happy to start back into grade cricket or back into state cricket,’ he said.
