Our persistence paid: Johnson

Mohali:

Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson on Sunday said they did not let their heads drop even when India were going great guns and eventually their persistence paid.

Australia managed to get a slender 23-run lead after bowling India out for 405 on the third day of the first cricket Test.

The speedster, who took five wickets, also praised his bowling partners Doug Bollinger and Nathan Haurtiz.

"As a bowling unit, we stuck up to our task and did not let the heads drop when India was cruising at one stage. We kept sticking at it (trying for the wickets) and in the end things panned out well," Johnson said.

"Definitely, it takes a whole lot of effort. As a bowling unit we stuck together and there is always encouragement from other teammates (when faced with the odds)," he said.

He said they would try to bat whole day tomorrow and bowl out India on the last day.

"We want to get a big total and may be bat the whole day. We hope to have the reverse swing going and then hope for the wicket to break up on the final day and make it difficult for them."

Johnson on Sunday claimed vital wickets of well-set Suresh Raina (86), skipper M S Dhoni (14) and Harbhajan Singh (0) while yesterday he dismissed Virender Sehwag and his opening partner Gautam Gambhir.

It was also the first time in his sixth five-wicket haul that Johnson claimed five wickets in an innings on the Indian soil.

Johnson also scored useful 47 runs but does not consider himself an all rounder saying he would reckon himself to be a bowler who loves batting as well.

He said it was hot and humid out there in the field and it was very 'draining' for the bowlers, who had to put extra effort as the wicket hardly offered pace and bounce.

He said Australia may have earned just a slender lead, but after holding back the marching Indians has given the side a lot of confidence.

"We will try to get big scores and big partnerships going for us and not let their spinners dictate terms," he said.