Wagging tail hurting England most

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FOR all the blood and thunder of Mitchell Johnson's rejuvenated bowling, it is the batting of him and his tailend teammates who have helped put England to the sword.

Australia's lower order from Brad Haddin down have taken the third Test in Perth away from England, just as they did in Brisbane and Adelaide.

In all three Tests Australia's last five wickets have added more than the top five and this was most pronounced in Perth during the second day of the third Test.

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Australia collapsed to 5-143 on the opening day but was eventually bowled out Saturday for 385, adding 242 with the lower order.

This is in marked contrast to England, highlighting the success of Australia's ruthless plans to bounce out the England tail.

Chief amongst those responsible for the rescue mission has been Brad Haddin, with 320 runs at an average of 80.

Johnson did not add to his overnight score of 39 on Saturday but his 147 runs at 49 left him with more runs at a better average than any England player on tour before England began batting on Saturday.

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It also highlighted the lack of contribution from team mates Shane Watson (average 19), Chris Rogers (20) and George Bailey (24).

Johnson had scored almost as many runs as the entire England tail from wicket-keeper Matt Prior down.

Before he bowled a ball in this series it was Johnson's batting which turned the first Test in Brisbane and struck an early blow towards regaining the Ashes.

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On the opening day at the Gabba Australia tumbled to 6-132 and it appeared a case of "here we go again" after some dreadful batting collapses on the recent tour of England.

However Johnson scored an enterprising 64 in a century partnership with Haddin to ensure a competitive score before bombing Australia to victory with the first of two man of the match performances.

Peter Siddle was a thorn in England's side with the bat on day two. Photo: Gareth Copley Source: Getty Images

And again in this Test the match was in the balance when Johnson joined centurion Steve Smith and they added a brisk 59 together.

They were important runs, taking Australia comfortably past 300, a score England had not made in its first innings at the WACA Ground in almost three decades.

While Johnson's ferocious bowling has added a new and stirring dimension to this series, his batting has placed him in a rare and unique club.

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He is one of just four Australians to score 1500 runs and take 200 wickets.

It is a very exclusive club. The other members are Richie Benaud, Ray Lindwall and Shane Warne.

And of the quartet Johnson has the highest score, 123 not out.

He is one of three with a century while Warne has that famous 99 he scored at the WACA against New Zealand, which he terminated with a skied slog against spinner Daniel Vettori.

Warne would also have made a hundred if he was playing today given the umpires have become obsessed with checking no balls when a batsman is dismissed. Video later revealed that Vettori had overstepped.

Johnson currently has 1553 runs at an average of 23 in his 54th Test.

It compares favourably with Benaud (average 24), Lindwall (21) and Warne (17).

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