Mitchell Johnson is intent on using his country's remaining Champions Trophy action to stake a claim to be in Australia's Test team to regain the Ashes in Australia this winter.

The left-arm paceman, who will be 25 on November 2, was tipped for the top as a teenager by Australian legend Dennis Lillee but numerous injuries over the years meant he was made to wait until the age of 24 for his international debut.

It took the Queenslander considerable time to come to terms with his billing as the next big thing but he marked his first outing against England with three wickets, including that of Kevin Pietersen, last Saturday.

After eight one-day internationals he has taken 12 wickets at an average of 24.16, with a strike rate of 27.50 and an economy rate of 5.27. In 17 first-class matches he has taken 56 wickets at 28.43.

Australia's attack showed their winter plans for England's big hitters by using the bouncer effectively in the six-wicket win at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Australia's bowling strategy is being planned by Troy Cooley, England's bowl-ing coach until earlier this year, and Johnson snared Pietersen with the fast bowler's one-two of bumper followed by full delivery.

"That one probably zipped through a bit more," Johnson said.

"My plan to him was to get a short one in early and then try to get that nick.

"Against Pietersen maybe the short ball is something we will try - from the footage that I've seen, he likes to get forward early.

"When I first started in this team I wasn't very confident so my confidence has definitely grown. If I get that chance to play in the Ashes or another series later on in the year, hopefully my confidence will be there."

Cooley has been Johnson's mentor in Brisbane, scene of next month's opening Test, shortening his run-up and passing on tips on reverse swing. In 2005 Simon Jones gave much of the credit for his impressive performances against Australia to Cooley.

There is every chance Johnson will be in the squad for the Gabba, his home ground, and hopes to have added some extra pace should he make his Test debut.

He said: "It would be great to be able to bowl faster and swing the ball. If you are bowling 140-kilometres-per-hour plus and swinging the ball, it's going to be hard to face.

"That's something that I'm working on and to be consistent with - I want to try to get around that 150."

Lillee identified Johnson's potential to break the 90-mile-per-hour mark (144kph) in the late 1990s.

"It probably did put a little bit of pressure on me," Johnson said.

"I was 17 at the time. I hadn't played much cricket.

"Dennis' comment was obviously awesome but I think in the end it sort of got to me a little bit.

"I think the best thing for me was when I did lose my contract for Queensland and it really sort of woke me up. I went and trained my backside off, just played the game and did not worry about anyone's comments."

Australia's final group A match is against hosts India at Mohali on Sunday. n Sussex, the county champions, have signed left-arm seamer Chris Liddle from Leicestershire.

The 22-year-old, who made his county debut last year, has signed a two-year contract and Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson said: "Chris has the potential to bowl a very lively ball and, with his natural left-arm variation, should prove an attractive asset to the squad and as a person should fit well into our family atmosphere.