Ponting hails Johnson’s heroics

RICKY PONTING believes Mitchell Johnson’s “unbelievable” spell of fast, swing bowling transformed not just the third Test but perhaps the entire Ashes series.

Johnson’s first-innings six for 38 — and specifically a fearsome spell of four wickets for seven runs — obliterated England’s frontline batting on day two at the WACA.

The tourists had no answer, faltering from 78 for none to 187 all out in reply to 268.