Cook downplays Johnson threat ahead of Ashes

England Test captain Alastair Cook believes that it would be challenging for Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson to replicate the 2013-14 Ashes heroics in the forthcoming series beginning tomorrow at Cardiff.

Johnson produced a fearsome performance on his home turf as he claimed a staggering 37 wickets during the 5-0 drubbing of England in the previous Ashes series.

However, Cook said that the pace and bounce in these wickets wouldn't be as much as it was in Australia, insisting that it would be challenging for Johnson to repeat his heroics of the previous Ashes series, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The 30-year-old batsman said that Johnson had the series of a lifetime, while comparing the fast bowler's heroics to his own festival of run scoring that brought Australia down in 2010-11.

Cook, however, added that they have got to make sure they cope with it better if the Australian pace man does repeat his feat.

Cook said that both sides have changed as always happens over an international team of people pushing for places, insisting that home conditions would be conducive for his side.

England will seek to avenge the 5-0 Ashes whitewash incurred against their traditional rivals in the 2013-14 series.