Aussies on top as Johnson destroys England

Recalled paceman Mitchell Johnson returned to his brutal best today as Australia blew away England for just 136 to turn the first Ashes Test on its head.
Australia, castigated for a top-order failure on day one, roared back to rattle the trophy-holders with six wickets for nine in one of their worst Ashes collapses.
By stumps on the second day in Brisbane, the home side had cruised to 65 without loss, 224 runs in front, with David Warner on 45 and Chris Rogers not out 15.
And it was Johnson, who has been erratic in his Test career and was targeted mercilessly by England's Barmy Army fans in the 2010/2011 series, who sparked the turnaround.

The left-armer, steaming in and bowling at hostile pace, captured four for 46 off 13 overs, taking the wickets of Jonathan Trott, Michael Carberry, Joe Root and Graeme Swann.
The confidence flooded back into the Australians, coming off a 3-0 series loss to England three months ago, with Ryan Harris taking three wickets, spinner Nathan Lyon denied a hat-trick and Steven Smith holding three catches.

They will now be confident of extending an unbeaten record at the Gabba ground which goes back to 1988. Australia are also trying to avoid losing four Ashes series in a row for the first time in 123 years.

England, who lost six wickets for just nine runs, were left to contemplate their heaviest collapse since Melbourne 1990, when they gave up nine wickets for 47.
Their lowest first-innings score since the 102 against Australia at Headingley in 2009 came after the key scalp of Kevin Pietersen triggered a clatter of wickets.
Pietersen, playing his 100th Test, was dropped on eight in a sharp caught and bowled chance by Peter Siddle.
England were pinned down for 13 dot balls before Pietersen, on 18 from 42 balls, lost concentration and flicked Harris off his pads to mid-wicket, where debutant George Bailey accepted a fine catch.