Johnson to nurse Siddle back to his wicket-taking ways

Sydney, Jan 13 (ANI): Australian main attack bowler Mitchell Johnson regards it as part of his duty to nurse Peter Siddle back into his wicket taking ways.

After bursting onto the international scene with 49 wickets at 28.93 in his first year, Siddle has back-pedalled during a frustrating home season that thus far has produced only six wickets at an average of 68.33 in four Tests.

The 25-year-old took some time to work his way into the summer after returning with a side strain home from India, and has carried a hamstring niggle that caused him to miss the third Test against the West Indies.

Siddle's situation has been made more urgent by the progress of the energetic Doug Bollinger, whose 18 wickets this summer have cost fewer than 20 runs each, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"I guess that is showing guys [the way] on and off the field, at training, going at 100 per cent and I guess speaking to the guys about knowledge I have about the game," Johnson said.

"I have played 30 games and some of the guys coming through now have only played a few, so I feel that is probably my responsibility to speak to them about conditions and the guys we are playing against," he said.

Johnson has reinforced to Siddle that his figures are not necessarily an accurate reflection of his form.

"He's not too fussed at the moment. He hasn't really spoken about it too much. He's still pretty pumped up and he's doing a great job for us. He might not be getting the rewards but he is still a big part of the side and if he's tying down ends or being aggressive he's still doing a great job," Johnson said. (ANI)