Mitchell Johnson signs with Perth Scorchers for the upcoming BBL season

After months of speculations, it is now confirmed that Mitchell Johnson will play in the upcoming season of Big Bash League. The former Australian fast bowling spearhead will be playing for the Perth Scorchers. Johnson signed the contract with the WA cricket authorities on Tuesday.

Johnson, who had earlier stated that he was keen to play with the Scorchers, will come in place of the outgoing Brad Hogg and will reportedly play only one season.

His deal is believed to be below maximum contract earnings in Perth’s 18-man squad. Johnson is potentially used by Cricket Australia through additional services for extra earnings with promotional and marketing advantages for the entire T20 competition.

Johnson adds power to Scorchers pace bowling battery that includes current Australian speedster Nathan Coulter-Nile, borderline internationals Joel Paris, Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye and England seamer David Willey. Johnson says that he looks forward to mentoring his young teammates.

“I see myself more doing more of the mentoring role,” Johnson told Fox Sports earlier this month.

“Maybe coaching a bit more like what Dennis Lillee did, in that you come in for a week here or there, come into certain teams or work with individual players. I feel that’s probably more suited to me than a big team-based (role).”

Johnson last appeared on the cricket field in the Indian Premier League earlier this year and had a forgettable time there. However, Johnson says he is now more confident after his chat with Scorchers coach Justin Langer who helped him motivate.

“(The Big Bash is) a pretty awesome tournament, a lot of the boys talk about how much fun they have and the ratings for it have been huge,” Johnson told Fox Sports earlier this month.

“The way (Scorchers coach) Justin (Langer) has put it to me in the conversations we’ve had is he wants me to go out there and have some fun.

“So that takes a lot of pressure off me. I’ve been so used to being the No.1 strike bowler for so many years, it definitely puts pressure on you to perform.

“He wants me to go and be with the boys, enjoy the atmosphere of the dressing room, train with the boys and help out.

“That’s the big thing I’m looking forward to, being involved with the young guys coming through.”