Johnson happy Oz team-mates Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Harris have silenced their critics

Australian Herald (ANI) Saturday 4th February, 2012

Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson has backed his team-mates, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris, who are bowling magnificently this season after battling poor form and injuries.

"We all copped a fair bit of stick from the public and the media over the Ashes series so I am happy the guys who have been in and out of the side have done so well," Fox Sports quoted Johnson, as saying.

"They had all been written off and they've shown they can cop it, not worry about it and do the job. I've never lost faith in those guys," he added.

Johnson is also confident of making a comeback in the Test side.

" To be written off at the age of 30 is quite ridiculous. I don't think I've even reached my peak," he added.

He, however, admitted that the current season has given him a good break.

"It has actually been a bit of a relief to be away from the game after four years of smashing my body. It has been a really good break," Johnson said.

He said the long-term solution to his inconsistent bowling would involve a shorter run-up.

"Normally my run-up is 20.9m. In South Africa, I went off about 14m but I think I need to go up to around 16m. I'm more a shoulder bowler than a rhythm bowler, but you still do need to generate some momentum with your run-up," he added. (ANI)