Adam Voges warns Mitchell Johnson back to top pace, Clarke concurs

There was the worst possible news for England only two days before the start of the Ashes. Mitchell Johnson, their nemesis on the ill-fated expedition to Australia two winters ago, is back to his considerable peak. The left-armer had shredded England during the 2013-14 whitewash, taking 37 wickets at 13.97. This information was delivered matter-offactly by Adam Voges, the Australian batsman who is about to play his first Ashes at 35.

"Our net sessions aren't much fun at all at the moment, to be honest," said Voges. "He's got his zip back and he's swinging them as well. That is the biggest thing with Mitch, there's always been genuine pace, but when he's swinging it at pace as well then he's a dif ferent proposition.

"We saw him hit Shaun Marsh on the hand, Steve Smith ended up on his backside by the stumps at one stage, so he's as ready to go as he possibly can be. I'm sure he's going to play a huge part in this series."

That sounded like a promise as well as a threat. Johnson has been struggling to find his rhythm lately after an uneven tour of West Indies and inauspicious start to this one. But he is experienced enough to know that it is peaking on the day that matters.

His captain Michael Clarke concurred, while speaking at a pre-Ashes press conference on Tuesday. Johnson has never been as impressive in English conditions, but Clarke believes the 34-year-old is ready this time.

"He's bowling as fast as I've ever seen him bowl in the nets and he's swinging it too. It's not fun to face," Clarke. "There's been things said about whether he can perform in these conditions and that's put fire into his belly."