Mitchell Johnson says Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook are suffering from scars of last Ashes series

By Sky Sports News

Image: Mitchell Johnson was named Player of the Series in the 2013/14 Ashes

Former Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson has questioned the futures of England pair Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad following their Ashes defeat.

Opener Cook, who will be 33 when the Boxing Day Test starts, has managed only 83 runs at an average of 13.83 this series.

Broad meanwhile, has only five wickets from the three matches at 61.8 runs apiece and came off his worst Test figures in the third match at the WACA.

Image: Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook have both endured a miserable Ashes tour

Before the series, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon hoped his side could 'end England careers' and Johnson said selectors should make hard decisions over the pair now rather than wait until the end of the Ashes.

The 36-year-old said: "Going to the next Test I think England will have to think about changes.

"I'm not sure if Stuart Broad is up to it at the moment. There will be some question marks around him, [as] a senior player.

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Image: Broad has taken just five wickets from 113 overs

"Alastair Cook is someone who I think has been thinking about retirement.

"I just wonder now with the scoreline being 3-0 whether that will take a bit of pressure off him and he'll just go out there and score runs. I'm not sure.

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Image: Alastair Cook's highest score this Ashes series is 37

"I think the scars are there from the last series."

Johnson took 37 wickets in the 5-0 whitewash of Cook's England in 2013/14 which sparked the exits of a number of senior players and staff.

England spinner Graeme Swann promptly retired after the third Test of that ill-fated series, while batsmen Michael Carberry and Kevin Pietersen were never seen again in Test whites.

Image: Australia celebrate winning the Ashes in 2013/14 after a 5-0 whitewash

With England's pace attack coming under criticism in Australia, Johnson has also urged England selectors to recall Durham seamer Mark Wood for the fourth Test.

"I look forward to him playing if he gets the opportunity, they should pick him even if he's slightly underdone," said Johnson. "From a pace point of view, someone bowling over 87-91mph can definitely change the game."

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