McGrath asks Johnson to keep things simple by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	GD McGrath, MG Johnson
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 25th July 2009

 

Former Aussie pace great Glenn McGrath advices Mitchell Johnson to sort out "the mental side of things".

 

McGrath, who could be counted as Australia's most successful fast bowler with 563 Test wickets, has been mentoring Johnson over the past two years.

 

"A lot of people will be giving Mitch all kinds of technical advice, saying his bowling arm is too low when delivering the ball or his wrist position is wrong, but in my experience, these losses of form are nearly always mental issues, rather than technical ones," McGrath said.

 

"He had a bit of a lay-off before the Australians came over here, and you cannot always just pick up from where you left off," the 39-year-old was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

 

"What I would say to Mitch is that he hasn't lost any of the ability that makes him one of the most talented all-round cricketers in the world. If Mitch can sort out the mental side of things, I'm convinced everything else would fall into place," said McGrath.

 

Not only McGrath, even Brett Lee said he and the other bowlers have been talking to Johnson to boost his confidence.

 

"Everyone's been chatting to him and offering their advice. I've been offering my advice," Lee said.

 

"It's not like I'm standing up the front of the class room telling him what to do. Mitch is running ideas around.

 

Everyone's in it together. He got his opportunity in South Africa and really took it," said the injured pacer.

 

"He's obviously searching for a lot more wickets, but it's not a matter of everyone being panicked and stressed out, saying what's going on."