Mitchell Johnson urges Australian Test selectors to pick and stick despite struggle

Johnson spearheaded the Australian attack in the history-making Ashes series of 2013-14 in which Australia used the same XI in each of the five Tests.

Now as concerns surrounding the immediate Test futures of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill grow louder, Johnson says he would rather see "a good balanced side".

The Australian bowlers toiled for little reward in the first Test against South Africa as the visitors racked up a lead exceeding 500 runs, but Johnson says changing the side would be a knee-jerk reaction and called for the public's support.

Johnson has backed the current pace attack despite the likes of Jason Behrendorff and Chadd Sayers knocking at the door – he believes their time will come.

But the 73-Test veteran believes the more chopping and changing that occurs will only make things more difficult for the national side to gel.

"You're probably going to see some of those guys play in the summer, whether it's in the Test series or one-dayers," Johnson said.

"I still think when we won the Ashes series of 13-14 we had a balanced side. We stayed together, we worked together, we had a pretty good side for a while there.

"I think it probably starts from grade cricket and shield cricket. That needs to keep building and getting stronger. We need guys like Patty Cummins bowling heaps in shield cricket and then hopefully one day they've done enough bowling they can get to the next level and be ready."

Johnson is travelling around Australia signing copies of his new book Resilient, and while signing thousands of autographs make the hand swell up a little bit it is much easier than bowling.

But it doesn't mean he doesn't miss it – at times the first Test of the summer has Johnson wishing he was charging in at the WACA ground.

"I've had moments through this Test match," Johnson said.

"I don't know whether it's because the wicket looks pretty good. It was bouncing and going through pretty good at the start of the Test and maybe because it's the first Test of the summer – I retired two games into the summer last year.

"I have moments and then I think about all the training, the recovery, the days you're feeling sore, the days like yesterday where you don't get a wicket all day until towards the end.

"They're really tough days and days I used to love but I think I made the right decision when I retired. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders."

Johnson will make his return to cricket on home soil for the Perth Scorchers in the upcoming Big Bash League.