'Ashes hopeful' Johnson overcomes injury scare during Sheffield Shield game

Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson has reportedly overcome an injury scare just few days before the winter Ashes, by claiming two wickets in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground.

Although Johnson was forced to go off for treatment after digging his big toe into the turf while bowling, he returned to the fray to collect a late wicket and finish with 2-74 from 16.4 overs.

According to News.com.au, Johnson missed more than six months of cricket after tearing ligaments in his big left toe in November 2011, although a WACA spokesperson said Johnson's latest injury was not related to that setback.

Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer, who is the coach of domestic side Western Australia (WA), had backed his side's player Mitchell Johnson in his bid to return to the national Test side during the winter Ashes.

Langer said that Johnson would be given every opportunity to impress the selectors, although he admitted that Johnson has not played a lot of four-day cricket as compared to one-day cricket.