Spooky

"Reports of my demise ...

... have been greatly exaggerated"

Getting Some Back

Mitchell Johnson gets a few short ones. Nothing he wouldn't expect (or handle) but it is nice to see that the biter can be bit.

The Writing Is On The Board

Graeme Smith doesn't need a menu to tell him what to expect from the Aussie attack.

Winners And Losers

In sport, if you are not one you are certainly the other.

Happy Day(s)

It was a great win but as a disinterested, and very interested, spectator I can't help thinking there are a few more plot twists left in this particular show.

Who's A Bit Excited Then?

Who can blame the Aussies for getting a little OTT. It is not every day you stuff the "old enemy" to the extent that they have.

Revenge Of The Much Maligned

With the performances of Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Broad so far, this version of the Ashes could be called the Stick It Up Them series - the doubters that is.

Signs And Portents

Not sure I would be using a storm cloud as a backdrop if I was Mitchell Johnson.

Lightening can strike in some very funny places , and at very awkward times.

Coming At Ya!

My brief but intense affair with Mitchell Johnson is almost over. I keep looking for other players to 'image' and keep finding photos of Mitch that I can't resist.

It is my problem, and I am dealing with it, so I thought I would end my short dalliance with this sultry shot. It also has the best image I have so far seen of 'the tattoo', just in case you might want to get something similar for Xmas.

Mitchell Johnson II

Mitchell Johnson was the star at the WACA but I can't find a really good image to celebrate the fact. Instead here is a reworking of one I used a couple of years ago when he had the swagger and no tattoo.

I Found It, I Found It ...

... I found my swing.

I could have told you Mitchell, it's always in the last place you saw it.

Up In The Air

Based on a great photo taken by one of the Getty Images boys.

One of the big questions for the third test is going to be which Mitchell Johnson turns up to the WACA - and will he cast a shadow over the proceedings?

A Real Head Scratcher

Despite some clown of a commentator saying "well it's now a one all draw" neither team is on the board. You can be sure that there will be plenty learned from the experience and it will be interesting to see who makes the best adjustments. If the Aussies some how drop the second test even Bill Lawry may have to say something negative about his team which would only be balanced by Tony Greig becoming even more insufferably schizophrenic than usual.

Easy Fellas

Good to see a bit of toe to toe in last night's game.

I started thinking about these two teams as big/little brothers but in reality they are more like cousins. They see each other about once a year (unless there is a special occasion like a wedding, funeral or World Cup) and every time there is a bit of a sort out to establish who has got bigger or meaner since the last time they met.

The analogy falls apart, of course,  because there is no room for the pretty cousin who has "developed" since the last time they caught up.

Pop Gun V Shot Gun

It would be a much more frightening prospect if anyone could take them seriously.

Dazed And Confused

Mitchell Johnson has decided to push his cause as an all rounder by showing that he can do everything at the same time.

His novel strategy of wearing pads to bowl is a subtle suck up to the captain - "win the toss and whatever you decide to do , I am ready Punter".

Bend It Like Johnson

Forget about a whole bunch of twenty20 knees ups I can't wait to see how well this fella bends it in dear old blighty.

Rock Star Credentials

Brett Lee might back himself but is there any doubt that his is an old wave compared to the new kid on the block?