Mitchell Johnson's Ashes vow: I'll go for England's throat

Cook’s 766 runs during the last Ashes tour were the bedrock of England’s 3-1 victory. Although the opener has performed poorly in his other three Ashes campaigns, he has already registered a century during England’s warm-up matches and looks in ominous form.

Johnson told the Sydney Morning Herald: “If I can get a few of those rearing balls towards the ribs or those throat balls, and if he gets in the way of it, that’s his own fault. You’d rather get the wicket more than anything; you get a lot of joy out of that when you get a player like that out.

“Have a look at last summer, and [Sri Lanka’s Kumar] Sangakkara was an example. I’ve busted his finger, and he’s one of their best players. So they were one short, and I got a couple of those in the middle order. If you can’t get them out, that’s the second option.”

Australia picked an expected squad, with 31-year-old George Bailey in line to make his debut at No6 and Johnson recalled. England’s preparation for the series has been interrupted by bad weather but Steve Finn, one of three fast bowlers competing for the final spot in the attack, remained upbeat.

He said: “We’re not too downhearted about it and I’m sure if the weather’s nice for these next four days we’ll be able to get out there and set our standards high.

“Obviously, if I play, I need to give as good an account of myself as I can to put myself in contention for the Test. The first warm-up game in Perth wasn’t ideal for me but I got better as the game went on. I’ve had some good nets since then but it’s not good being a net bowler who gets everybody out and then can’t get a wicket in the game.”