Focused Johnson sits out Big Bash

Johnson confirmed yesterday he will sit out the inaugural season of the new eight-team Twenty20 competition after knocking back offers from Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat. It's not the first time Johnson has resisted a sizeable T20 pay cheque, having previously turned his back on the lucrative Indian Premier League.

His decision is a blow for Big Bash League organisers, who would dearly love to have one of the country's most recognised names associated with the fledgling tournament, but it is encouraging for Australia's prospects of knocking off the world No.1 Test nation next summer.

The move ensures the star paceman, who faces an arduous workload on three different continents later this year, will have a week off to freshen up before the start of the four-Test series against India on Boxing Day.

But the door remains ajar for Johnson to turn out for his first-grade club Wanneroo in Perth.

''At the moment I've decided not to sign with any of the Twenty20 sides,'' Johnson said yesterday. ''The Scorchers approached me and at the moment I'm just happy to focus on the summer coming up with India coming over, they're obviously a strong side. And it might give me a chance also to go back to grade cricket if the opportunity's there.

''We've got a big summer coming up, Sri Lanka first, then South Africa, they're going to be big Tests for us in their home towns, and a big summer here, so that's where my main focus is.''

Johnson is working on a new grip with former Test quick Craig McDermott, Australia's new fast bowling coach, which they believe will help improve his sometimes wayward control.

''I bowl with my fingers close together and I don't have as much control with the ball so it will help me stand the seam up more and hopefully that's the plan, give me more balance with the ball,'' Johnson said. ''I'm coming on 30 and I don't think fiddling too much [with my wrist] is going to help me.''

Johnson said the pressure of playing for the urn was partly to blame for another roller-coaster Ashes series last summer, which, other than a match-winning spell in Perth, saw him punished by a rampant England batting line-up.

''I put too much pressure on myself to bowl the perfect ball all the time and in a big series like the Ashes, you just can't do that,'' he said. ''I haven't come across that in any other series where I've struggled that much with the pressure. It's a big thing the Ashes.''

Johnson said he bowls at his best when calm but the naturally mild-mannered quick has been involved in several on-field spats. ''Snarling at the batsman doesn't really work for me,'' he said. ''I've just got to bowl and be happy.''