Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson has insisted that he still has the 'burning desire' to be part of an Ashes squad, saying that he is older, wiser, stronger and wants a chance to prove that he can once again be a match winner for Australia.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the left-armer's previously dynamic pace bowling faltered badly four years ago as he struggled to cope with the pressure of a family dispute and the abuse from English fans.
However, Johnson is confident that he is ready to show that he has learned from the mistakes of his forgettable 2009 tour of England, saying that he still wishes to play in more Test matches, especially the Ashes, as he has no fear left given that he has experienced one of the toughest periods of his life both on and off the field.
According to the report, Johnson made a strong Test return against South Africa and Sri Lanka last season but was overlooked for the Ashes following one fruitless outing in the 4-0 series whitewash in India, although he used this break to improve his strength, fitness and bowling technique.
The Perth-based quick, who is working closely with Dennis Lillee and has lengthened his run-up to improve his rhythm, also said that he is trying hard not to bowl flat-stick every ball, adding that Lillee had advised him to work on different things like cutters and out-thinking the batsmen.