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Eddie Howe will hope his up-and-down Newcastle United side can now go on a winning run in the Premier League.

Indeed, the Toon have recently collected two straight victories in the punishing division against Burnley and Crystal Palace, with the 2-0 win over the Eagles labelled as a “victory for willpower” by journalist Luke Edwards, as the Magpies had to keep grinding away to clinch three points.

Still, this season has seen Newcastle’s Jekyll and Hyde tendencies come to the forefront regularly, as Howe hunts down some January reinforcements to ensure his team continues to look up the standings, as opposed to down.

Newcastle make £52m star a top target

Amazingly, Newcastle’s clean sheet against Palace was the first time the Toon had kept a clean sheet in 12 games, as Howe potentially looks to add in some more defensive bodies to his camp this month.

The leaky Magpies have been regularly linked with a move for rising Toulouse star Dayann Methalie in the left-back spot, while further rumours have also tipped them to make an £8m swoop for versatile Celta Vigo defender Óscar Mingueza.

Moreover, Newcastle’s ongoing interest in AZ Alkmaar midfield sensation Kees Smit shows no signs of dying down, with The Athletic stating that the Dutchman has now been made a top target for Howe and Co.

The report does further clarify that a bid for Smit, who is valued around the £52m mark, will likely depend on Joe Willock departing the building in January, as Newcastle also go about offloading some personnel across the chaotic month.

With Howe working his magic this season on the likes of Lewis Miley, Newcastle will see this as an opportunity to land another very exciting talent for the future, with the 19-year-old potentially going down as the Magpies’ next Elliot Anderson.

How Smit could become Newcastle's next Anderson

Newcastle very much dropped the ball when they lost Anderson for a measly £35m in July of 2024.

The full-blooded Englishman is now a £100m-rated performer for Nottingham Forest, and is on the extensive shopping list of Manchester City this month.

With a jaw-dropping 8.3 ball recoveries this season per Premier League contest, on top of winning 7.7 duels per game, Anderson would completely transform their midfield ranks, which are in dire need of some reinvention, owing to Sandro Tonali and Joelinton consistently falling short of their best.

Smit’s league numbers for AZ

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

24/25

25/26

Games played

18

14

Goals scored

0

2

Assists

0

2

Touches*

38.8

62.7

Accurate passes*

23.3 (85%)

42.7 (89%)

Key passes*

1.3

1.8

Big chances created

3

3

Ball recoveries*

3.3

5.7

Total duels won*

2.9

3.3

Stats by Sofascore

It doesn’t look feasible, unfortunately, that Anderson will be dramatically returning to St James’ Park anytime soon, with Smit perhaps considered the next best thing, based on the table above.

While he does fall short of Anderson in his own ball recovery numbers and duels won tally, it’s clear that the 19-year-old has come on leaps and bounds in such a short space of time in the Eredivisie, as he potentially explodes into life even more in the Premier League, with most of his numbers improving this season for AZ, after a breakout offering during the 2024/25 campaign.

He will be very much a work in progress, but Anderson didn’t sensationally become an £100m-level talent over-night, as Newcastle are all too aware, with Smit’s ability to fire home a blistering rocket such as this strike for the Netherlands U20s further backing up claims that he is a “superb” asset for his age, as he was labelled by a Premier League scout via TeamTALK.

Subscribe to our newsletter for Newcastle transfer insights For detailed transfer breakdowns and stat-driven scouting on targets like Kees Smit, subscribing to the newsletter gives focused Newcastle transfer coverage, player comparisons and recruitment context to help follow the club’s squad plans.

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Newcastle will also feel less reliant on Bruno Guimaraes to deliver the goods if Smit can put away some audacious strikes for Howe’s men, with the teenager already dubbed a “difference maker” for his Dutch outfit by analyst and content creator Spencer Mossman.

Landing Smit and turning him into a top-flight-ready performer will finally soften the ongoing blow of Anderson leaving St James’ Park prematurely, with the Forest number eight getting ready for another next big step with Pep Guardiola’s men, away from embarking on a surprising reunion on Tyneside.

Snapping up the much-talked-about Dutchman will also see Howe refresh his ranks for the better, as 2026 goes down as being a potentially positive year for his inconsistent side.

Related Bad for Miley: Newcastle could see £8m bid accepted to sign "complete" star

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair

It says something of Mikel Arteta’s insatiable hunger for success that he hopes Arsenal will ring a few changes in the January transfer window, despite the remarkable progress that his side have made this season.

The Premier League table-toppers spent a bucketload last summer, Arteta and the club’s new technical director Andrea Berta having added to an elite crop after three years of finishing second in gruelling title battles.

However, Viktor Gyokeres has flattered to deceive at number nine, while £67m recruit Eberechi Eze has only impressed in flashes.

More sharpness is needed from the Gunners, with Manchester City (and Aston Villa) breathing down their neck.

Arsenal could sign Champions League forward

Manchester City have Erling Haaland as their striker. He has scored 19 times in the Premier League this season, eight more than Igor Thiago behind him. Arsenal’s top scorer is Leandro Trossard with five goals.

Arsenal are in a fantastic position, and Arteta cannot allow any slip-ups this season. With this in mind (and with Man City on the verge of signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth), it might be worth using the winter window to the Londoners’ advantage.

Arteta has already confirmed the Emirates side are “actively looking” at potential deals this month, so perhaps they should consider AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, a long-term target who is riding the crest of a wave in Italy.

Last month, it was made known that Arsenal had made the Portugal international a top target ahead of 2026, though any deal will fall into the ballpark of £75m.

Electric-paced and versatile, Leao has recently reinvented himself as a prolific number nine, and he could help dynamise the Gunners frontline, said to even be keen on a move to north London if the opportunity arose.

Why Leao would be an upgrade on Gyokeres

Long have Arsenal been linked with Leao, whose efforts in Italy over the past several years have established him as “one of the best left wingers in the world”, as has been asserted by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Rafael Leao – AC Milan Career

Season

Apps

Goals + Assists

25/26

13

7 + 1

24/25

50

12 + 13

23/24

47

15 + 14

22/23

48

16 + 15

21/22

42

14 + 12

20/21

40

7 + 6

19/20

33

6 + 2

Data via Transfermarkt

But he’s developed under Massimiliano Allegri this season, placed in a central striking berth. This has led to seven goals and an assist from only 13 matches in all competitions, with the manager saying that his talisman “has genius” in his play, and that his predatory instincts in the final third make him an interesting central option.

Leao is still a physical and athletic force, ranking among the top 5% of strikers in Serie A this season for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Arsenal have Gyokeres at the spearhead, but the Swedish striker has left much to be desired since moving to the club from Sporting Lisbon, losing 66% of his duels and 79% of his dribbles in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.

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Former Milan coach Stefano Pioli once remarked that Leao is like “the early Thierry Henry”, starting his career out wide before drifting into a focal goalscoring role, one which has paid dividends this season.

Henry, of course, is one of the greatest players in Premier League history, and probably the most iconic Arsenal star of all time. His fleet-footed running and incredible close control married up with deadly finishing that led Arsene Wenger to riches.

If Arsenal and Arteta can land even half the player in Leao, then there’s plenty of reason for fans to get excited.

For now, we wait for any developments in Arsenal’s January transfer plans, but the interest in this snappy star is genuine, and he would surely be interested in moving to north London and becoming a leading man for one of the most exciting projects in Europe.

Related Not just Gyokeres: Arsenal's "one-dimensional" star shouldn't be starting

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair

Chelsea have now identified an “incredible” manager as their top target to replace Enzo Maresca, after parting ways with the Italian on New Year’s Day.

Blues searching for new manager after Maresca exit

Following Maresca’s departure, BlueCo aren’t planning to waste any time when it comes to appointing a new manager, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who said: “Chelsea will appoint a new manager very soon, not gonna take weeks or a long time. The club is now working on it.

“Liam Rosenior, highly rated internally after an excellent job at Strasbourg, is among the contenders.

“Decision to be made in days, won’t take long.”

The Blues have got a busy month ahead, with eight more fixtures penciled in before the end of January, starting with a difficult trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City on Sunday.

As such, they could do with appointing a new manager quickly, and Rosenior may be an exciting option, given the job the Englishman has done at Strasbourg, leading the French side to the Europa Conference League last season.

However, the 41-year-old isn’t the first choice option, according to a report from Spain, which states Chelsea have now identified Gareth Southgate as their top target to replace Maresca, with the search for a new manager already underway.

The former England boss is the leading candidate for the role, with the board particularly impressed by the job he did with the Three Lions, during which time he displayed an ability to handle pressure from the media.

Not only that, but Southgate’s ability to develop young players is also valued, with the 55-year-old clearly ticking a lot of boxes for BlueCo.

Related Chelsea could finally sack Maresca & hire "one of the best coaches ever"

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Posts ByKelan Sarson "Incredible" Southgate could be risky appointment for Chelsea

The Englishman has received praise for the job he did with the Three Lions, with Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman saying: “What he has done for English football is just really incredible. Of course, they made the final again, they made the final at the last Euros too. I think he can be very, very proud of himself. I think England is very proud of him and me as a Dutchie, I’m very proud of him too.”

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Indeed, Southgate led England to two European Championships finals, but they ultimately failed to get over the line, despite having home advantage against Italy back in 2021.

Moreover, the former Middlesbrough boss’s experience at club level is limited, having not managed any team other than England since leaving the Riverside Stadium back in 2009.

Having suffered relegation with Boro, the ex-England manager would be a risky appointment for Chelsea, and they could probably do a lot better, given that Champions League football is on offer at Stamford Bridge.

ScorecardKenya opened their Intercontinental Cup campaign with a commanding nine-wicket win against Canada to take maximum points with a day to spare in Nairobi. Steve Tikolo claimed four wickets to leave Kenya chasing 100 for victory and they cruised home as Maurice Ouma helped himself to an unbeaten 68-ball 71.Canada began the day facing a first-innings deficit of 130, following Thomas Odoyo’s maiden first-class century on Saturday, and were in immediate trouble as Peter Ongondo removed both openers in the first over. Their main resistance came from a third-wicket stand of 113 between Trevin Bastiampillai (63) and 36-year-old debutant Arvind Kandappah (87). As they pushed Canada into a narrow lead there was a chance Kenya could be set a challenging target, but the home side stuck to their task.Bastiampillai became Tikolo’s first wicket when he was beaten by the turn and Asif Mulla soon followed as he edged an outswinger from Nehemiah Odhiambo. Kandappah, who clubbed three sixes in his 111-ball innings, miscued a sweep to square leg as Kenya tightened their grip leaving Odoyo to help his captain clean up the tail.Kenya began their chase with a flurry of boundaries and Ouma recovered from his first innings duck with a string of powerful blows. David Obuya fell with the target in sight, leaving Ouma to finish the match in emphatic style by launching Qaiser Ali over long-on for his second six.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Aban	Pts
Netherlands	3	2	1	0	0	0	34
Ireland	2	1	0	0	1	0	29
Canada	3	1	2	0	0	0	26
Scotland	3	1	0	0	2	0	26
Kenya	1	1	0	0	0	0	20
U.A.E.	2	0	1	0	1	0	3
Bermuda	2	0	2	0	0	0	0

Mark Chilton is aiming for the Championship next season © Getty Images

Lancashire have confirmed that Mark Chilton will continue as captain in 2007. Chilton, 30, is going into his 11th season at the county and has captained them for the last two years.”It is a great honour,” he said. “I have enjoyed the job thoroughly and I continue to learn and to improve. We were close to winning things last season and the objective now is clear, to go that one step further.”Lancashire’s manager Mike Watkinson added: “Mark works tirelessly on and off the field, and is respected throughout the game for his leadership qualities. He is a deep-thinking and courteous person, but he also has a steely inner nature and is never fazed by tough situations or bullish characters in the game and he never shies away from difficult decisions.”Out in the middle, Mark is determined to lead from the front. He remains hugely ambitious, for the club and for himself.”Lancashire were runners-up in both the County Championship and the Natwest Trophy last season, and have recently secured the signature of Muttiah Muralitharan for 2007.

Sourav Ganguly: on the way to recovery from his tennis elbow problem © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly should be fit enough to play for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy match against North Zone from October 20. Ganguly has been suffering from early symptoms of tennis elbow, but a doctor attending to him said his condition is getting better.”He is improving,” said Kalyan Mukherjee, an orthopaedic surgeon. “If this trend continues, and he responds to the treatment, then I see no reason why he can’t play the Duleep [Trophy] match at Rajkot.”The final decision on this matter will be taken by Dr Ananth Joshi, the sports-medicine expert, when he examines Ganguly on October 18. John Gloster, the team physiotherapist, is also expected to be present during the examination.The elbow problem for Ganguly first cropped up during the Indian team’s tour to Zimbabwe, and also kept him out of the Challenger Series in Mohali. Ganguly was also left out of the Indian squad for the first two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka later this month, with the selectors indicating that he would have to prove his fitness first.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Harbhajan Singh had the South Africans in a spin© AFP

India concluded a dour series with a victory by eight wickets at Eden Gardens. Though the required 117 runs were achieved comfortably in the end, the favourable series result was largely due to three sessions of guileful bowling on a helpful track by Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, who persevered tirelessly through both matches before finally hitting pay-dirt yesterday and today. Harbhajan picked up 7 for 87, while Kumble equalled Kapil Dev’s Indian record of 434 Test wickets, in 41 fewer matches.Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar then guided India to their second Test win of the season with a stand that made heavy work of the inevitable. Pads were stuck out dangerously to South Africa’s part-time spinners – who turned the ball sharply – but both batsmen were loth to risk an attacking approach. However, Dravid was quick to dismiss loose offerings while Tendulkar protected his wicket steadfastly. But at the end, when the target was down to single figures, it was Tendulkar who cut free with a couple of fours off Justin Ontong. Dravid remained unbeaten on 47.Virender Sehwag’s early dismissal did not rock the boat. After he guided Makhaya Ntini to Graeme Smith at slip, Gautam Gambhir and Dravid squirted balls between the infielders for runs. Both batsmen were relaxed during their stay, and Gambhir, in particular, appeared at ease when Shaun Pollock, who had previously troubled him, came on, striking him gloriously through cover. He was dismissed padding at a legbreak from Jacques Rudolph that struck him in front of the stumps (60 for 2). But by then South Africa’s cause was lost, even though the spinners extracted appreciable bounce and turn from the pitch.

Anil Kumble drew level with Kapil Dev on 434 Test wickets© AFP

The day belonged to the two men India rely on most at home. Harbhajan and Kumble continued their work from yesterday and struck down South Africa for the addition of 50 runs. In tandem, they bowled out the entire side, contributing 64.4 of the 74.4 overs sent down by India.Harbhajan continued his feverish affair with Eden Gardens. He first removed Jacques Kallis for 55 and then struck twice more. It was his fourth five-wicket haul in five innings here. Kallis had battled to 52 yesterday, but in Harbhajan’s second over of the day, he patted one back to the bowler, who accepted the simple catch and disbelievingly turned to the umpire and appealed. A few overs later, Pollock stuck his pad out at one that missed his bat and glove, and carried to a sprawling Gambhir at short leg. The appeal for the catch was upheld. Daryl Harper, the umpire, struck again two deliveries later when Justin Ontong swept, and the ball popped off his forearm to Dinesh Karthik. Then Thami Tsolekile played around a Kumble delivery and was bowled (194 for 9). After 28 valuable runs were added, Makhaya Ntini edged to Dravid, presenting Kumble with his record-equalling wicket.India were expected to win the series, albeit a tad earlier than the second-last session of the tour. On this pitch, against bowlers of the calibre of Harbhajan and Kumble, South Africa’s batting line-up stood little chance. For a team beleaguered by poor form, this victory will bring India temporary respite from scrutiny.

BAT Sports are effectively 43 points clear of their nearest rivals Bashley (Rydal) in their bid to reclaim the ECB Southern Electric Premier League championship.A crushing nine-wicket win over Andover, predictably led by a thumping 166 not out by New Zealander Neal Parlane, has put the 2001 league champions in a near unassailable position.Parlane smacked eight sixes and 25 fours in his highest individual score yet as Andover’s challenging 249-8 was simply blown away.BAT travel to Bashley on Saturday, but only a major downturn in fortune will prevent them from regaining the trophy from Havant, who suffered a third defeat against the Academy.Richard Dibden’s side will virtually have the title tied up if they beat Bashley next weekend, making the August 16 showdown with Havant purely academic.Led by Rose Bowl assistant Mark Miller, who struck a season’s best 97, Andover put up a gallant show at Southern Gardens.Toby Radford (31), Ian Gardner (33) and Roger Miller (23) all provided useful support, with Richard Dibden (3-67) BAT’s most successful bowler.Mark Miller’s ultra-safe hands accounted for Damian Shirazi, but the young left-hander’s departure was Andover’s solitary success as Parlane took over.Sixes and fours rattled all around the ground, with a staggering 148 of the Kiwi’s 166 coming in boundaries !Richard Kenway did well to garner some of the strike and finished with 62 not out as BAT posted 251-1 in 39.5 overs.BAT’s near neighbours Calmore Sports remain fastened to the Premier basement – 20 points behind Liphook & Ripsley – after a tame draw with South Wilts at Loperwood Park.Tom Caines (36), Paul Draper (34) and Jason Laney (31) were among the seven batsmen in double figures as South Wilts reached 225-9 off 66 overs.Mark Boston (4-100) and Charlie Freeston (3-69) wheeled away for Calmore, who appeared to have got themselves into a decent position at 125-2 through a half-century by Gary Stinson (54), Martin Bushell (30) and Paul Cass (29).But they didn’t altogether challenge a target of 100 off the final 23 overs and, with Stuart Bailey 42 not out, closed at 196-5, 29 runs behind.

Haryana’s spinners struck vital blows in the post-tea session to bringdown Delhi from a commanding position and reduce them to 288 for sevenin the first innings in the North Zone Ranji tie.Replying to Haryana’s 316, Delhi failed to capitalise on a 121-runopening stand between Gautam Gambhir (91) and Akash copra (48). From adominant position of 166 for two, Delhi collapsed to 260 for seven,with Amit Mishra striking thrice and Gautam Vashisht twice.Earlier, resuming at their overnight score of 282 for eight, Haryanaadded 34 runs in eight overs before Arun Singh ended the innings bytaking the wickets of Sumit Narwal (39) and Nitin Aggarwal (11). TheDelhi openers settled down early and soon got into an aggressive mode,hitting pace bowlers S Vidyut and Narwal all over the ground.Just when the partnership was going strong, and the hosts were firmlyon the road to a huge first innings score, Haryana got a breakthroughwhen Nitin Aggarwal’s direct hit broke the stumps at the non-striker’send while Chopra was attempting a cheeky single.Gambhir added 43 runs with new man Radhey Shyam Gupta. Just when helooked set for a well-deserved century, however, he was deceived as hejumped out to a flighted ball from Vashisht, keeper Ratra whipping offthe bails in a flash.Vashisht struck again after four overs, dismissing Gupta caught atsilly point by Shafiq Khan with the scoreboard reading 179 for three.Haryana clawed their way back into the game, grabbing four morewickets within a space of 10 overs, the Mishra-Vashisht combinationbowling accurately.But Delhi skipper Mithun Manhas (45 off 32 balls) refused to give upand executed some powerful shots in trying to stem the rot. Hecollaborated with Pradeep Chawla to add 44 runs, even as Haryana’sbowlers were on the rampage.Manhas could not hold on for long, though, as he was trapped in frontby Aggarwal. Even as Delhi’s middle order failed, the tailenders notonly showed resistance, but adopted attack as the best form ofdefence, with Sarandeep Singh (20) and Abhishek Sharma (23*) makingsome quick runs and hitting four boundaries each. Sharma and AmitBandhari (4*) were at the crease, and the hosts still trailed by 28runs, when stumps were drawn.

As he watched Ryan Harris, Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin shuffle out of the dressing room for the final time, Mitchell Johnson wondered whether he should join them. Seriously drained after a year in which he could not follow up World Cup success with retaining the Ashes, he pondered the possibility of retirement.

‘I don’t think it’s the best preparation’

Mitchell Johnson has questioned Australia’s preparation for the New Zealand Test series, with only a two-day red-ball camp in Sydney offering relevant practice before the squad assembles for the Gabba.
The postponement of the Bangladesh tour means Australia’s Test players are warming up in the Matador Cup 50-over tournament but are then subject to a round of day-night Sheffield Shield matches with the experimental pink ball before the first two Tests of summer are played in daylight with the red ball.
Johnson’s scepticism about the day-night concept is well known. While he hesitated to comment too freely on the Adelaide match at this point, he questioned the wisdom of switching from red to white to pink to red ball again ahead of what is shaping as New Zealand’s best chance to unseat Australia at home since they last did so in 1985.
“I don’t think it’s ideal us playing a day-night Shield game coming into a three-Test series, two with a red ball and one with a pink ball,” Johnson said. “I don’t think it’s ideal, especially guys missing out on Bangladesh, they’re probably needing to bowl with a red ball and we’re playing this now, then going down to Tassie to play with a pink ball.
“I don’t think it’s the best preparation, but I guess that’s why we have this camp as well to get a bit of a feel with the red ball again.”
Earlier in the year Johnson responded to questions about the pink ball by saying: “One thing is I love the tradition of Test cricket, things like the Baggy Green and little things like wearing the woollen jumper. We had an option to change that but we wanted to keep that as a tradition. I think tradition in the game is very important.”

But, in the six weeks since the Ashes have passed, Johnson has found himself feeling the old urge to train, to compete, and most importantly to bowl fast. He is now eager to do so once more, as the senior pro in what has now become a young and much changed team. Johnson has clear ideas on how and how much he should be used, and has set his sights upon matching the wickets tally of his mentor Dennis Lillee.”It definitely has crossed my mind, especially with the guys retiring,” Johnson said at Australia’s training camp in Hurstville. “A lot of those guys I played a lot of cricket with [have moved on] and it definitely makes you question yourself. I definitely have questioned myself in the six weeks I’ve been home, but I had that desire when I saw the young guys out there performing and it really urged me and pushed me to get out there and play. I actually went for a run and was pushing myself.”Brett Lee changed it a little bit because he played for a while longer. Speaking to some other people like Dennis, he seems to think I can go for a few more years as well. It depends on the individual to be honest, I had that year out of the game really with my toe injury, I was a late starter to the game. So I think it’s more mind than anything, my body’s still holding up pretty well.”I’ve had little niggles here and there but i’m able to get through them. It’s more mind. I’m really looking forward to the summer, getting back on fair wickets with a bit of pace and bounce, good for batting and for bowling. I’d love to get a few wickets and get that tally back up again.”At the end of a two-year period in which he played 18 of a possible 19 Tests besides sundry ODIs and Twenty20 fixtures, Johnson’s body was holding up reasonably. But his mind had begun to waver – even though he felt he had stored up enough mental energy for the Ashes campaign, he found himself getting drained midway through the series, not helped by the constant toll of English crowds and batsmen.”I was definitely worn down physically but I think I can always manage physically though,” Johnson said. “It’s more mentally that I felt myself really drained even through the England tour at times. Constantly getting hammered by the crowds does take its toll, but also the long year we’ve had with the World Cup. It was a huge build-up, to win that and then I went to IPL and played there. Was pretty flat throughout that, and then got to the West Indies and started to pick up a bit.”The Ashes always takes it out of you anyway, it’s such a huge occasion, and was definitely great to get back home after that. I personally think if I’d played that one-day series there was a chance of burnout or injury, that’s how I felt within myself. That’s why I missed that one-day series, getting fresh to be ready for a big summer and hopefully be in really good form and play really good cricket.”I know New Zealand are going to be a tough opposition, then we’ve got a few Test matches after that against West Indies then over to New Zealand. So it’s a really hectic time, but the little break I’ve had has definitely freshened me up and I’m ready to go.”There were other issues that had crept into Johnson’s mind as well. The handling of Haddin’s exit from the team rankled, and so did the haziness that often surrounded how Johnson was to be used in the bowling attack. Seldom was he able to simply charge in at top pace and intimidate as he had done against England two years ago, as much for the fact that there was no Harris or Peter Siddle keeping things tight at the other end as anything else.Johnson will be speaking with the coach Darren Lehmann and the new captain Steven Smith about this concept. Already it appears Lehmann understands the need for control as well as pace, stating that Australia will retain an allrounder throughout the Test summer while also picking their most balanced attack to keep the scoreboard tight.”I spoke to Boof about it, it’s something I thought about,” Johnson said. “I think it works best if I bowl short spells and I can bowl that high 140s or mid 140s, then I think that’s the plan we should go with. I’m going to sit down and speak with Boof and Smithy about that and see what they think.”But I’ve always got a plan B and I think I learned that a lot more over in England to have a plan B, just try to use the ball a bit more in certain conditions. You can’t always blast teams out but when that time’s right I’m definitely still putting my hand up for that role.”That sort of outspokenness can be expected more often as Johnson begins the final phase of his career. No longer one of many 30-somethings in the Test team, he is now an elder statesman, a leader and a keeper of tradition. There is much he can pass on to a young team before he is done.