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England better brace for another Johnson onslaught

Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson reacts after dismissing England batsman James Anderson on day 3 of the 2nd Ashes test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
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9th December, 2013
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Australia have gone 2-nil up in the 2013/14 Ashes series. With Adelaide over, the fans’ attention now turns to Perth.

After England were completely destroyed by Mitchell Johnson and missed opportunities, they will be trying to regroup.

However it does not get any easier, the next Test is at the WACA.

If they thought the bouncers from Johnson are over, think again.

The WACA is most notably known for its fast-paced and bouncy pitches.

It’s a pitch where big tall fast bowlers can cause nightmares for the opposition.

Johnson is on fire and he returns to the ground where he destroyed South Africa in 2008 and England in 2010.

In five matches at the WACA Johnson has 36 wickets at 19.66.

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This includes two 5-fors and a 10-for.

Can it only get worse?

It will depend on whether Captain Cook and his men are ready for the challenge.

I was there to witness the carnage in 2010 when he destroyed the Poms.

The crowd were behind their homeboy every step of the way and the cheers were as good as it gets.

He completely destroyed them that day and it could happen again.

He will love bowling here and so will his partner in crime Ryan Harris, who also took wickets in the 2010 WACA Ashes test.

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The WACA ground generally is not friendly towards spinners and batsman who hang their bat out a foot outside off stump.

You have to be a good leaver of the ball and be able to play the cut and pull shot.

All shots the English batsman have in their armoury.

What they don’t have yet, is answer to the bouncer.

This may cause major problems on the bounciest wicket in the world.

The Aussies also may go for an all out assault and add a fourth fast bowler to their line up.

Doug Bollinger and Nathan Coulter-Nile have been drafted into the squad to help any sore paceman or potentially be an inclusion for Nathan Lyon.

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I wouldn’t think Australia would leave out Lyon, but if they did they could use the extra paceman to bounce England out.

With Steve Smith as the all-rounder it is an option, however he is more of a part-timer these days.

Nathan Coulter-Nile has been bowling some scintillating spells in recent times at the WACA.

Dougie Bollinger has been in good form and has had international success in the past.

James Anderson and Broad will also enjoy the conditions here.

Tim Bresnan should also join them at the expense of Monty Panesar, however Graeme Swann has not been in the best of form since arriving down under.

Spinners can get some purchase at the WACA, Monty took a five-for back in 2006.

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He was also on the receiving end of Adam Gilchrist 57-ball ton.

Lets not forget David Warner two years ago, when he smashed a 69-ball ton.

Whatever the make up, it does not get any easier for England.

They are clearly struggling and the Aussies are full of confidence.

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