Johnson looms as Australia's answer to Flintoff

By Julian Linden

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's long search for a matchwinning all-rounder to counter the feats of England's Andrew Flintoff may finally be over.

Mitchell Johnson has not only established himself as the new leader of Australia's bowling attack but has also emerged as a devastating lower-order batsman.

His batting average of 34.70 and bowling average of 28.01 are both better than Flintoff's and the lanky Australian has reached the best form of his career heading into the Ashes.

Johnson took career-best figures of eight for 61 against South Africa in Perth in December then followed it up with his maiden test century against the same opponents in Cape Town in March.

Johnson's impressive statistics are only part of the reason why he is suddenly looming as Australia's trump card for the Ashes.

A naturally shy man, the 27-year-old Johnson has taken it upon himself to assume the role of the team's aggressor.

The ability to intimidate opposing batsmen is a vital weapon in the arsenal of any fast bowler and Johnson showed why he is one of the most fearsome pacemen in the world during one destructive day in Durban.

The left-hander captured three wickets, including two in his first over, with his blistering pace but also put two South African batsmen in hospital.