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Johnson calls for more Australian domination

Mitchell Johnson wants Australia to continue dominating New Zealand after their strong performance in the opening Twenty20

Cricinfo staff
27-Feb-2010
Mitchell Johnson's 3 for 19 set up Australia's comprehensive victory in Wellington  •  Getty Images

Mitchell Johnson's 3 for 19 set up Australia's comprehensive victory in Wellington  •  Getty Images

Mitchell Johnson wants Australia to continue dominating New Zealand after their strong performance in the opening Twenty20 in Wellington on Friday. Johnson was Man of the Match in the crushing six-wicket win, which was set up by some extreme speed from Australia's fast bowlers.
New Zealand were dismissed for 118, with Johnson (3 for 19), Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes combining for seven victims as they unleashed spells touching 150kph. "I just think we're in a good state of mind at the moment and we're looking forward to keeping, I guess, dominating," Johnson said after the match. "When we've got a few guys in our side who can bowl ... 150-plus, it probably does make a bit of a difference.
"You don't really get an easy run at it if first-change and second-change can bowl that quick pace as well. It makes it tougher for their guys. I'm pretty glad we're not facing us actually."
The Australians can wrap up a 2-0 result in the Twenty20s with a win in Christchurch on Sunday before the one-day international and Test series complete the tour. "Definitely guys were a little bit nervous coming over," Johnson said. "We knew that New Zealand love the shorter forms of the game and do pretty well at it. There was nerves in the dressing room. I definitely felt it."
James Franklin, who top scored for the hosts with 43, believes his team can fight back from the opening disappointment. "With Twenty20 it comes down to a few guys doing exceptionally well on the night and we just didn't have that," he told NZPA. "We know if we can turn up as a group then three or four of us really stand up and contribute."