The reincarnation of Mitchell Johnson

The greatest sporting rivalry between nations is the Ashes, keenly contested since 1882 after Australia's first victory at The Oval in London, a mock obituary was placed in the newspaper decrying the death of English cricket.

Upon the following tour of Australia, with the English winning the contest, the bail from the wicket was burnt by a group of Melbourne women, placed in a small urn and presented as the death of Australian cricket - the legend was born.

In a previous Ashes contest in England, Mitchell Johnson was not selected due to injury and poor form in his two previous Ashes encounters - he was not even considered actually. However, due to injuries to Australian fast bowlers, Johnson was recalled to the Australian test team after some mediocre form in the one day series in England and India.

Despite the score showing the English winning the last series comfortably, the contest was close with English batsman Ian Bell the difference between the two teams. The return series, Mitchell Johnson is the difference with his match winning credentials on full display, if Mitchell isn't bowling, we are waiting for Mitch to bowl.

Mitchell the destroyer is in form, fast, mean aggressive form. Mitch is devastating the confidence of the English team with batsmen placing an emergency order for enhanced protective equipment with an Australian supplier for the rest of the series, he has already won the battle of the mind - he is intimidating.

Mitchell is either brilliant or terrible, there is no in between with this guy, we all wonder which Mitch will turn up on any given day. His first spell in the first test in Brisbane was wayward and expensive, then after a break the beast was unleashed.

Mitchell bowled the most inspiring spell of express pace short pitched bowling in an Ashes series since the legendary Dennis Lillee/Jeff Thompson combination terrorised batsmen in the 1970s. On a wicket build for pace and seam, Johnson was almost unplayable with the fear in the batman's eyes clearly evident.

In an era of fast medium paced bowling placing the ball outside off stump, Mitchell's aggressive short pitched bowling directed at the body of the English batsmen has rattled both English confidence and reputations.

Adelaide is universally known as a flat track tailor made for large scores before spinning on days four and five. This ground has been traditionally been the destroyer of fast bowlers and we were expecting a high score draw. England selected dual spinners of and Monty Panesar in anticipation of a slow spinning wicket while Australia maintained an unchanged quick line up.

Imagine everyone's surprise when Johnson ripped through the English batting bagging an unheralded 7/40, was he more devastating than Brisbane? James Anderson, a world class sledger decided to get a little lippy with Johnson after having his stumps smashed with a 150 kph lightning bolt, Johnson never utters a word - but that stare could freeze steam...

Sporting a handlebar mustache for Movember, the month of November is used to grow a mo to highlight men's health issues adds to his menace. Mentor Dennis Lillee recommended Mitch wear a gold chain to further add to his on-field presence reminding the English of the fast bowling heyday of the 70s.

We had expected Adelaide to be a dour affair on a placid pitch before Mitch and the rest of the pace attack head to Perth to further intimidate the English on the fastest ground in the world - the WACA. Roll on Friday.