Brett Lee says Australia need Johnson

Veteran fast bowler Brett Lee said Wednesday Australia must inject the fear factor into their attack and called for Mitchell Johnson to be recalled for the home Ashes series.

The former Test quick, who frequently delivered balls in the 150 kph (93 mph) range, wants to see Johnson back in the frame to add some genuine pace, along with Pat Cummins.

Australia lost the five-Test series in England 3-0 and Lee, who still plays in Australia’s domestic Big Bash League, told reporters it had been disappointing.

“I think pace-wise we’ve done pretty well,” he said.

“The only negative thing you can probably draw upon, and listening to the commentary team over there, was that Australia chose all the same type of bowler.

“I want to see a Pat Cummins come in, I want to see Mitchell Johnson back.”

Lee, who in an injury-marred international career played 76 Tests, 221 ODIs and 25 T20s, said he had been impressed with the sometimes erratic Johnson during the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

“I was surprised that Mitchell Johnson didn’t get the opportunity, and that’s nothing against the guys that went over, they all warranted their spot,” Lee said of the Test squad.

“Get some pace in, get some pace back in the Australian team. Get some sort of fear factor going. 130 kms seam up is good. You need that.”

Left-armer Johnson is part of the Australian one-day team in England but Cummins has a back problem and could miss much of the 2013-14 Australian summer season.

Australia have now gone nine Tests without a victory following a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year. The first of five Ashes Tests on home soil starts in Brisbane in November.