Mitchell Johnson warns England of short-pitched deliveries

Mitchell Johnson

Perth, Feb 2 (IANS) Ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup opener on February 14 against England, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has warned their arch-rivals that he would pepper their batsmen with short-pitched deliveries as he did during the Ashes and also in the ODI tri-series final.

"I am a fast bowler who loves to bowl fast and I don't mind bowling that short ball," Johnson was quoted as saying by news.com.au, on Monday.

"That's what I have always tried to do in all forms of the game.You have to adapt. Sometimes it's not going to work as much and I'll have to go to plan B, but using that short ball definitely worked for me (in the final)."

The 33-year-old had figures of three for 27 from seven overs on Sunday in the tri-series final against England with two outstanding deliveries that dismissed opener Moeen Ali and skipper Eoin Morgan -- his other victim was James Taylor. Australia won the match by 112 runs.

He further added that all the teams will be under pressure in the quadrennial tournament and England was no exception.

"Every team is under pressure - it's a World Cup. I think they (England) are dreaming if they think they're not under pressure," he added.