England escapes Mitchell Johnson scare in warm-up tie

Mitchell Johnson is one name England would like to erase from its mind once it starts the Ashes campaign this month. But the fiery speedster, who retired from international cricket in 2015, reportedly had an offer to have a go at England in the tour-opener in Perth this weekend.

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But, he declined; according to a report in The West Australian newspaper.

Johnson was asked if he would open the bowling for Western Australia XI as it would have warmed him up for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL).

The lethal left-arm pacer had sabotaged England in the 2013/14 Ashes. The series, that ended in a whitewash, also destroyed the careers of Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann.

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The 36-year-old represents Perth Scorchers in the BBL. He was Perth’s leading wicket-taker in BBL 07 and the only bowler to record multiple maiden-overs.

Johnson recorded the most economical spell in the history of the tournament with figures of 3/3 in the semifinal against Melbourne Stars last season.

However, Nathan Coulter-Nile — who picked up the wicket of India skipper Virat Kohli multiple times in his recent tour of India — will be raring to hit the deck in the warm-up tie.