Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson is continuing his fearsome reputation ahead of the next Ashes series after breaking a South African batsman's arm during the ongoing one-day tri-series in Zimbabwe.
Johnson, 32, who destroyed England in Australia's 5-0 Ashes sweep at home last southern summer, left allrounder Ryan McLaren with a hairline fracture in his right forearm on Tuesday.
Johnson's lifting delivery in Australia's ODI victory in Harare -- Zimbabwe -- struck the left-hander squarely on the arm but, astonishingly, McLaren didn't even flinch.
"Ryan was taken for X-rays after complaining of severe pain following a blow to his right forearm," South African team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosaje said.
"The scans revealed a hairline fracture to the bone in the right forearm, which rules him out of action for the next three weeks."
It was the second time in six months that a Johnson bowl has resulted in McLaren having to see medics.
In February's first Test against the Australians at Centurion, McLaren felt Johnson's wrath when he received a menacing blow to the side of his helmet.
The delivery left McLaren bleeding from the ear and the 31-year-old was admitted to hospital the next day and played no further part in the series.
Left-armer Johnson was one of the stars during the Ashes sweep, with 37 wickets at 13.97, but he was also the subject of a sledging controversy over a "broken arm" threat.
Australia captain Michael Clarke was fined after being caught on the stump microphone telling England's James Anderson to "get ready for a broken fucking arm" when Johnson was charging into bowl.
