Oz pacer Johnson believes he has Strauss's number

Perth (Australia), May 21 (ANI): The current leader of the Australian pace attack, Mitchell Johnson, believes that he has England cricket captain Andrew Strauss's number.ohnson, who understands the intricate principles of swings and roundabouts, reckons the Poms will experience difficulties in handling the Australian pace attack.

As far England predicting the demise of Australia's left-handed batsmen at the hands of their swing bowlers, Johnson says they will have a similar problem.

The Australia quick, who has emerged as one of the most damaging fast bowlers in world cricket in the past 12 months, knows that what dips in to a right-hander dips away from a leftie and he thinks that could be equally troubling for Strauss.

"In South Africa I started to swing the ball, and him (Strauss) being a left-handed batsmen it will go away from him - and I like bowling to lefties," Fox Sports quoted him, as saying.

"He has been scoring a few runs, but hopefully putting a bit of pressure on him then some other players will follow," Johnson added.

Veteran Australia bowlers Stuart Clark and Brett Lee will join Johnson in the Ashes squad and will be battling to squeeze in past the incumbents Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus.

Clark said he thought only one pace man had an automatic right to a place in the Test line-up.

"The way I read it are the guys who bowled in South Africa are in the front position," he said.

"Obviously Mitchell is going to play and the rest of us are competing for two or three spots."

It will be difficult to remove Siddle from his position and Hilfenhaus will be a handful with his movement in English conditions. Johnson said he did not feel threatened having the veterans Clark and Lee back.

"I spent the last Ashes series in Australia around the guys, and now to be part of the squad and hopefully get a few games is a big deal and a big deal for Australian cricket," Johnson said.

Johnson conceded the England bowlers were showing some good recent form - and the batting looked strong, too. (ANI)