India in Australia: Psychological Warfare Important to Intimidate Opposition, Says Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson was star of Australia's win at Brisbane with a knock of 88 and four crucial wickets in the second innings.
Never the one to shy away from a showdown, either with the ball or words, Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson feels "psychological warfare" is important to intimidate the opposition on the cricket field. (Nathan Lyon contradicts Dhoni, praises umpires)
In a new DVD titled Mitchell Johnson: Bouncing Back, the pacer, who has tormented India with both bat and ball in the ongoing Test series in Australia, has spoken about the importance of instilling fear in the rivals. (Wives to join battered Indian side Down Under, no room for girlfriends)
"Sometimes we say stupid things when we're out there. Sometimes we try and say things that hopefully get into the batsmen's heads a little bit. We try to get them to think about their feet, or just let them know you are going to bowl another short ball. It's all mind games," Johnson was quoted as saying in the DVD by 'ESPNCricinfo' (India should've forced Dhawan to bat earlier: Anil Kumble)
"Sometimes it might look a little different on TV. It might look as if we're going a bit too hard at each other, and sometimes it could be a bit over the top. But we're always trying to stay inside the guidelines," he said. (My father didn't believe I was picked: Joe Burns)
Johnson was involved in an on-field spat with the Indians in the second Test in Brisbane where the visitors' attempts at sledging him backfired badly. (Ishant Sharma fine adds to India's Brisbane 'insult')
The tearaway bowler smashed 88 runs and came back to grab four wickets to help Australia win the match and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Johnson feels aggression channelled well can yield good results.
"If you can get into someone's mind by speaking to a batsman and tell them that their feet aren't going anywhere, hopefully they'll start to think about that. You then bowl a short one at them, and you're in their head. I love that part of the game. I think it's great. And I don't think it's ever going to stop," he said.