Shocked Johnson expects newcomers to inject vigour

Mitchell Johnson hopes the induction of three uncapped players would enthuse the side for the dead rubber in Sydney.

Left in a state of shock following the series defeat against South Africa, Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson hopes the induction of three uncapped players would enthuse the beleaguered side for the dead rubber in Sydney.

“I cannot speak for the whole team. I guess yesterday afternoon I was in a little bit of shock after coming off the field,” Johnson said after the Australian team, having already lost the three-match series, arrived here for the third and final Test starting Saturday.

Johnson said every member in the side tried their best but South Africa proved superior in Melbourne.

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“You go out there and you are trying to do your best for your country and everyone in the team is trying to do their best. No one likes losing,” Johnson said.

“I guess to be two-nil down in the series, it has come as a little bit of a disappointment for us. But South Africa are a very, very strong side. They are number two in the world so I guess they outplayed us and they deserve every reward that they get,” said the left-arm bowler.

Selectors replaced the injured trio of Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson with three uncapped players in the 12-member squad and Johnson believes the rookies would bring in fresh vigour to the side.

“I still think we’re a very strong side, even though we’ve got a lot of young guys in the team. You’ve got Dougie Bollinger, Andrew McDonald, these guys, Ben Hilfenhaus, they’re going to come into the side with a lot of bubble.

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“I’m still backing our team. We’re going to keep positive and do our best in Sydney,” Johnson added.