Jason Gillespie says Engand have no choice but to go after Mitchell Johnson on Saturday…
Former Australia star Jason Gillespie says England are in denial about Mitchell Johnson and must face up to him in the World Cup opener on Saturday at the MCG.
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Johnson played chief tormentor when Australia crushed England in the final of the Tri-Series last month, but English skipper Eoin Morgan said the paceman did not feature in the team’s pre-match meeting.
Morgan also went on to say that Johnson was not the reason for his side’s top-order capitulation, rather that their own poor performances were to blame.
Gillespie, currently coach of Yorkshire, says England need to attack Johnson on Saturday.
“I certainly think the England camp is trying to downplay the significance of Mitchell Johnson,” Gillespie is quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.
“I’d try to throw the pressure back on him, because by not acknowledging that he has performed well against England in the past, I think that just adds a little bit of spark for Mitchell. He would see that as a real positive.
“You do have to acknowledge if someone is performing well against you. You acknowledge it and then you can move on, whereas if you just stay in complete denial it is just going to fester.”
Johnson took 3-27 in the Tri-Series final and will be looking for a repeat performance against an England side he has had the better of in recent times.
England faces Australia on Saturday at 3.30am (GMT).
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