Glenn McGrath has suggested that Mitchell Johnson could put England on the defensive during the Ashes, if he can replicate his from the last series Down Under.

Johnson's aggressive bowling saw him finish the 2013-14 series with 37 wickets as Australia wrapped up a 5-0 whitewash.

However, McGrath is hopeful that Johnson can reproduce that form and put behind him his poor series during the Baggy Greens' last visit to England two years ago.

He told Lords.org: "If he comes out (at Cardiff) and produces a spell like he did the whole series in Australia then that's going to re-open a can of worms and get England on the back foot and [for them] it'll be like 'here we go again'.

"The previous time here things didn't go too well for Mitchell Johnson so I think it's a big moment not only for him, but for the Australian team too."

Ryan Harris, who took 22 wickets in that 2013/14 series, was forced to retire this week due to a chronic knee injury.