Such is the esteem in which the 33-year-old pace bowler is held Down Under, however, that this weekend, he will board a jet for England looking to augment his tally of 47 wickets in 12 tests and help Australia win back the Ashes.

His average of 23.63 tells part of the tale why such an apparently fragile bowler will be on the plane, as does the memory of the 6-47 he took in the second innings of the third test in Perth to help Australia to their only victory in the last Ashes series.

Harris fractured his ankle in the fourth test of that series and, he admitted, there had been moments in the long months of recuperation from various injuries since that he thought it might be his only Ashes experience.

“Absolutely, you have those negative thoughts,” he told Reuters in an interview this week.

“I’ve had plenty of injuries, I’m probably going to have another couple, but the fact is I want to be part of this set-up, this team, for as long as I can.

“There were times where I found it hard, going to the gym every day. But the fact that this series was coming up and wanting to play for Australia again was what kept me going.

“I haven’t got many years left, maybe six months, maybe three years, who knows?

“It’s such great fun playing cricket for Australia. One day all that’s going to be gone. I don’t want to be sitting there on that day thinking ‘I wish I’d stayed a bit longer’.”

BOOT ADJUSTMENTS

The adopted Queenslander’s most recent injury forced him to return home from the Indian Premier League, but that at least enabled him to get fit enough that he believes he could play all five test matches in England.

“In my mind I think I can. It’s going to be hard and I haven’t really got any history to back that up,” he said, laughing.

“The Achilles is really, really good, a lot better than I thought it was going to be, I’ve actually got no pain at the moment.

“Touch wood, it’ll stay similar to that throughout the series. It’s going to get sore again but I’ve made adjustments to the boots that I wear, and the pressure that was on my Achilles is no longer there, so hopefully that helps.”

Perhaps because of the fragility of their batting in the recent 4-0 drubbing in India, Australia have been talking up their pace unit as potentially the decisive factor in wresting the Ashes back from England in July and August.

“We don’t see it that way, we think the batters are more than good enough to perform,” Harris said.

“We haven’t done so recently, but we know our best cricket is good enough.

“Everyone’s up for this. If you haven’t got a drive and passion for this you probably shouldn’t get on the plane.”

Shorter and stockier than most of his colleagues in the modern fast bowling fraternity, Harris generates genuine pace and was delighted to see the Duke ball moving so much for England’s bowlers during their test against New Zealand at Lord’s last week.

“The bowling is crucial, watching test from England the other night, I was licking my lips because the ball was zipping around,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to going up against the (Kevin) Pietersens and the (Alastair) Cooks and the (Jonathan) Trotts again, it was a lot of fun last time.

“I think we can win it,” he concluded. “I’m sure England are nervous. There’s a lot of pressure for us to perform but there’s probably more pressure on them to keep it.”

(Editing by John O’Brien)

Such is the esteem in which the 33-year-old pace bowler is held Down Under, however, that this weekend, he will board a jet for England looking to augment his tally of 47 wickets in 12 tests and help Australia win back the Ashes.

His average of 23.63 tells part of the tale why such an apparently fragile bowler will be on the plane, as does the memory of the 6-47 he took in the second innings of the third test in Perth to help Australia to their only victory in the last Ashes series.

Harris fractured his ankle in the fourth test of that series and, he admitted, there had been moments in the long months of recuperation from various injuries since that he thought it might be his only Ashes experience.

“Absolutely, you have those negative thoughts,” he told Reuters in an interview this week.

“I’ve had plenty of injuries, I’m probably going to have another couple, but the fact is I want to be part of this set-up, this team, for as long as I can.

“There were times where I found it hard, going to the gym every day. But the fact that this series was coming up and wanting to play for Australia again was what kept me going.

“I haven’t got many years left, maybe six months, maybe three years, who knows?

“It’s such great fun playing cricket for Australia. One day all that’s going to be gone. I don’t want to be sitting there on that day thinking ‘I wish I’d stayed a bit longer’.”

BOOT ADJUSTMENTS

The adopted Queenslander’s most recent injury forced him to return home from the Indian Premier League, but that at least enabled him to get fit enough that he believes he could play all five test matches in England.

“In my mind I think I can. It’s going to be hard and I haven’t really got any history to back that up,” he said, laughing.

“The Achilles is really, really good, a lot better than I thought it was going to be, I’ve actually got no pain at the moment.

“Touch wood, it’ll stay similar to that throughout the series. It’s going to get sore again but I’ve made adjustments to the boots that I wear, and the pressure that was on my Achilles is no longer there, so hopefully that helps.”

Perhaps because of the fragility of their batting in the recent 4-0 drubbing in India, Australia have been talking up their pace unit as potentially the decisive factor in wresting the Ashes back from England in July and August.

“We don’t see it that way, we think the batters are more than good enough to perform,” Harris said.

“We haven’t done so recently, but we know our best cricket is good enough.

“Everyone’s up for this. If you haven’t got a drive and passion for this you probably shouldn’t get on the plane.”

Shorter and stockier than most of his colleagues in the modern fast bowling fraternity, Harris generates genuine pace and was delighted to see the Duke ball moving so much for England’s bowlers during their test against New Zealand at Lord’s last week.

“The bowling is crucial, watching test from England the other night, I was licking my lips because the ball was zipping around,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to going up against the (Kevin) Pietersens and the (Alastair) Cooks and the (Jonathan) Trotts again, it was a lot of fun last time.

“I think we can win it,” he concluded. “I’m sure England are nervous. There’s a lot of pressure for us to perform but there’s probably more pressure on them to keep it.” (Editing by John O’Brien)

Coach Robbie Deans has six more places in his squad to fill on July 11 and made it clear when he announced the preliminary 25 last Sunday that every player qualified for Australia had a chance to impress over the next three rounds of Super Rugby.

The New Zealander also made it clear that Queensland Reds flyhalf Cooper needed to be more aggressive in attack and defence and he will have his first chance to show that side to his game against South Africa’s Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

Following that, the Reds head back home to host the Melbourne Rebels before a Brisbane blockbuster against the British and Irish tourists at Lang Park on June 8.

“Make tackles, be tackled and dominate,” Wallabies great Tim Horan wrote in his Daily Telegraph column on Thursday.

“If Quade Cooper can achieve these three goals in Queensland’s next trio of matches, but particularly against the Lions, he’ll present Robbie Deans with a compelling case to print him a boarding pass for Wallaby camp next month.”

The Super Rugby match on June 1 against the Rebels should bring Cooper face-to-face with his friend James O’Connor, who has been nominated by Deans as his first choice flyhalf against the Lions.

O’Connor will, however, be out of action for the second successive week when the Rebels host the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday evening because of the sternum injury he sustained two weeks ago.

TIME TO SHINE

Berrick Barnes, another flyhalf option for Deans, will start for the Waratahs for the first time in 10 weeks and only the second time this season, however, looking to back up brilliant performances from the bench in the last two weeks.

Barnes has been included in the 25-man Wallabies squad but his versatility means he will start the match against the Rebels at inside centre and could also be an option at fullback for Deans.

With Kurtley Beale, who has played both fullback and centre for Australia, looking unlikely to feature for the Rebels again this year after being stood down to deal with “personal issues”, the Wallabies number 15 shirt is up for grabs.

Waratahs fullback Israel Folau gets another chance to press his claim for the jersey in only his 13th game of rugby union on Friday, while Jesse Mogg will have to wait for Saturday, when his ACT Brumbies take on the Blues in Auckland.

Mogg was unlucky to miss out on the initial squad and he and Brumbies winger Joe Tomane, who did make the party, will have their defensive skills tested by a Blues backline boasting the sort of size and pace the Lions backs will bring to Australia.

With Digby Ioane now “touch and go” for the first Lions test after undergoing knee surgery, the pretenders to his place on Australia’s left wing have much to play for.

Tomane and Folau, a winger at international level in rugby league, are options as is the hard-running Nick Cummins, who bestowed the nickname “honey badger” on himself because of the animal’s ferocious defensive abilities.

Cummins, who made his Wallabies debut last year, was the only Western Force player to make Deans’s 25-man squad and will have another chance to show what he can do against the Otago Highlanders in Perth on Saturday.

Deans named only one scrumhalf, Will Genia, in his squad and the Rebels’ Nick Phipps and uncapped Nic White of the Brumbies will be keen to shine this weekend, with Deans having declared Luke Burgess, who is currently playing in France, a contender.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Coach Robbie Deans has six more places in his squad to fill on July 11 and made it clear when he announced the preliminary 25 last Sunday that every player qualified for Australia had a chance to impress over the next three rounds of Super Rugby.

The New Zealander also made it clear that Queensland Reds flyhalf Cooper needed to be more aggressive in attack and defence and he will have his first chance to show that side to his game against South Africa’s Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

Following that, the Reds head back home to host the Melbourne Rebels before a Brisbane blockbuster against the British and Irish tourists at Lang Park on June 8.

“Make tackles, be tackled and dominate,” Wallabies great Tim Horan wrote in his Daily Telegraph column on Thursday.

“If Quade Cooper can achieve these three goals in Queensland’s next trio of matches, but particularly against the Lions, he’ll present Robbie Deans with a compelling case to print him a boarding pass for Wallaby camp next month.”

The Super Rugby match on June 1 against the Rebels should bring Cooper face-to-face with his friend James O’Connor, who has been nominated by Deans as his first choice flyhalf against the Lions.

O’Connor will, however, be out of action for the second successive week when the Rebels host the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday evening because of the sternum injury he sustained two weeks ago.

TIME TO SHINE

Berrick Barnes, another flyhalf option for Deans, will start for the Waratahs for the first time in 10 weeks and only the second time this season, however, looking to back up brilliant performances from the bench in the last two weeks.

Barnes has been included in the 25-man Wallabies squad but his versatility means he will start the match against the Rebels at inside centre and could also be an option at fullback for Deans.

With Kurtley Beale, who has played both fullback and centre for Australia, looking unlikely to feature for the Rebels again this year after being stood down to deal with “personal issues”, the Wallabies number 15 shirt is up for grabs.

Waratahs fullback Israel Folau gets another chance to press his claim for the jersey in only his 13th game of rugby union on Friday, while Jesse Mogg will have to wait for Saturday, when his ACT Brumbies take on the Blues in Auckland.

Mogg was unlucky to miss out on the initial squad and he and Brumbies winger Joe Tomane, who did make the party, will have their defensive skills tested by a Blues backline boasting the sort of size and pace the Lions backs will bring to Australia.

With Digby Ioane now “touch and go” for the first Lions test after undergoing knee surgery, the pretenders to his place on Australia’s left wing have much to play for.

Tomane and Folau, a winger at international level in rugby league, are options as is the hard-running Nick Cummins, who bestowed the nickname “honey badger” on himself because of the animal’s ferocious defensive abilities.

Cummins, who made his Wallabies debut last year, was the only Western Force player to make Deans’s 25-man squad and will have another chance to show what he can do against the Otago Highlanders in Perth on Saturday.

Deans named only one scrumhalf, Will Genia, in his squad and the Rebels’ Nick Phipps and uncapped Nic White of the Brumbies will be keen to shine this weekend, with Deans having declared Luke Burgess, who is currently playing in France, a contender. (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

The 26-year-old, who was playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he tweeted the insults, faced a disciplinary hearing on his arrival back in Sydney on Wednesday, charged with “unbecoming behaviour”.

Warner was angered that a newspaper had used a picture of him next to an article on corruption in the IPL written by Robert Craddock. Another journalist, Malcolm Conn, was attacked when he entered the conversation in support of his colleague.

“In hindsight, clearly I let my frustrations get the better of me and posted some inappropriate tweets last weekend,” Warner said in a CA statement.

“While I disagreed with the story and my image being used alongside the story, I could have chosen my words better and I apologise for any offence that my language may have caused.

“I’ll continue to have honest conversations with all my followers and I will be mindful of the language I use in future.”

The flamboyant left-hander looks likely to open the batting for Australia in back-to-back Ashes series against England starting in July.

Earlier on Wednesday, he received backing from Australia captain Michael Clarke, who suggested the incident may not harm his chances of one day captaining his country.

“He’s apologised and made it very clear it was unacceptable,” Clarke told reporters at Sydney airport.

“I think Davey has great potential to be a leader of the Australian cricket team. He’s a wonderful guy and wonderful player.

“He’s learned from this … and if he continues to grow as he has over the last few years, there’s no reason why he hasn’t got the potential to captain Australia one day.”

Clarke, who once apologised for not “walking” via Twitter, also said there were no plans to restrict the use of social media by players, although they needed to recognise there was “a line that cannot be crossed”.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

The 26-year-old, who was playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he tweeted the insults, faced a disciplinary hearing on his arrival back in Sydney on Wednesday, charged with “unbecoming behaviour”.

Warner was angered that a newspaper had used a picture of him next to an article on corruption in the IPL written by Robert Craddock. Another journalist, Malcolm Conn, was attacked when he entered the conversation in support of his colleague.

“In hindsight, clearly I let my frustrations get the better of me and posted some inappropriate tweets last weekend,” Warner said in a CA statement.

“While I disagreed with the story and my image being used alongside the story, I could have chosen my words better and I apologise for any offence that my language may have caused.

“I’ll continue to have honest conversations with all my followers and I will be mindful of the language I use in future.”

The flamboyant left-hander looks likely to open the batting for Australia in back-to-back Ashes series against England starting in July.

Earlier on Wednesday, he received backing from Australia captain Michael Clarke, who suggested the incident may not harm his chances of one day captaining his country.

“He’s apologised and made it very clear it was unacceptable,” Clarke told reporters at Sydney airport.

“I think Davey has great potential to be a leader of the Australian cricket team. He’s a wonderful guy and wonderful player.

“He’s learned from this … and if he continues to grow as he has over the last few years, there’s no reason why he hasn’t got the potential to captain Australia one day.”

Clarke, who once apologised for not “walking” via Twitter, also said there were no plans to restrict the use of social media by players, although they needed to recognise there was “a line that cannot be crossed”.

($1 = 1.0233 Australian dollars) (Editing by Ed Osmond)

There was more talk of aspiration than expectation as the Australia squad officially bid farewell to the country in a ceremony at Sydney airport before their departure for England at the weekend.

England hold the Ashes after a convincing 3-1 series win in 2010-11 and Australia’s recent 4-0 drubbing in India has not persuaded many that they have much chance of wresting back the trophy.

“I think it’s a fair indication of where both teams are at,” Clarke said of the underdogs tag.

“England have a lot of experience. A lot of the guys have been involved in Ashes series before and they’re playing some really good cricket.

“Our recent series in India wasn’t nearly as good as we would have liked so I accept that we are the underdogs but we’ll be doing everything in our power to have success.

“Our goal is to win the series, we know it’s going to be tough, but we’re going to have a red-hot crack at hopefully winning the Ashes for the Australian people,” he added to reporters in a chilly hangar.

While Australia’s pace attack will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling on English wickets, the batsmen had a torrid time in India and, despite his own excellent form over the last two years, Clarke said they all must improve.

“The batters know we didn’t perform as well as we needed, we didn’t make enough runs and we are certainly accountable for our performances,” he said.

“We know that if we can bat well as a unit, that will give our young, talented fast bowlers every opportunity to take 20 wickets.”

Opening batsman David Warner arrives back from India, where he has been playing in the Indian Premier League, later on Wednesday to face disciplinary charges for a Twitter rant aimed at two journalists.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Clarke said there would be no constraints on the use of social media by players as a result of the incident and he backed Warner to have learned his lesson.

“The one thing I’ve been very disciplined about is allowing people to be themselves,” Clarke said. “At the end of the day we’re all old enough and wise enough to know what you are required to do as an Australian cricketer.

“There’s certainly been no talk of stopping players using social media, I think it’s a fantastic way to give back to fans.”

“I think Davey has great potential to be a leader of the Australian cricket team. He’s a wonderful guy and wonderful player.

“He’s learned from this… and if he continues to grow as he has over the last few years, there’s no reason why he hasn’t got the potential to captain Australia one day.”

There was good news on the injury front with pace bowler Ryan Harris saying he felt better that he expected after the latest injury to have afflicted him, an Achilles problem.

Clarke’s own fitness has also been in the spotlight after he missed the last test in India due to the recurrence of a long-term back problem.

“My body’s going pretty well at the moment,” he said. “I’ve had this six or seven weeks to work on my rehab, work on my strength for my hamstring and my back and, touch wood, I think I’m fully fit at this stage.

“You always have niggles… (but) I’m confident I’m as fit as I can be to perform at my best.”

Australia defend the Champions Trophy in England next month before the Ashes series, which begins at Trent Bridge on July 10.

(Editing by John O’Brien)

There was more talk of aspiration than expectation as the Australia squad officially bid farewell to the country in a ceremony at Sydney airport before their departure for England at the weekend.

England hold the Ashes after a convincing 3-1 series win in 2010-11 and Australia’s recent 4-0 drubbing in India has not persuaded many that they have much chance of wresting back the trophy.

“I think it’s a fair indication of where both teams are at,” Clarke said of the underdogs tag.

“England have a lot of experience. A lot of the guys have been involved in Ashes series before and they’re playing some really good cricket.

“Our recent series in India wasn’t nearly as good as we would have liked so I accept that we are the underdogs but we’ll be doing everything in our power to have success.

“Our goal is to win the series, we know it’s going to be tough, but we’re going to have a red-hot crack at hopefully winning the Ashes for the Australian people,” he added to reporters in a chilly hangar.

While Australia’s pace attack will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling on English wickets, the batsmen had a torrid time in India and, despite his own excellent form over the last two years, Clarke said they all must improve.

“The batters know we didn’t perform as well as we needed, we didn’t make enough runs and we are certainly accountable for our performances,” he said.

“We know that if we can bat well as a unit, that will give our young, talented fast bowlers every opportunity to take 20 wickets.”

Opening batsman David Warner arrives back from India, where he has been playing in the Indian Premier League, later on Wednesday to face disciplinary charges for a Twitter rant aimed at two journalists.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Clarke said there would be no constraints on the use of social media by players as a result of the incident and he backed Warner to have learned his lesson.

“The one thing I’ve been very disciplined about is allowing people to be themselves,” Clarke said. “At the end of the day we’re all old enough and wise enough to know what you are required to do as an Australian cricketer.

“There’s certainly been no talk of stopping players using social media, I think it’s a fantastic way to give back to fans.”

“I think Davey has great potential to be a leader of the Australian cricket team. He’s a wonderful guy and wonderful player.

“He’s learned from this… and if he continues to grow as he has over the last few years, there’s no reason why he hasn’t got the potential to captain Australia one day.”

There was good news on the injury front with pace bowler Ryan Harris saying he felt better that he expected after the latest injury to have afflicted him, an Achilles problem.

Clarke’s own fitness has also been in the spotlight after he missed the last test in India due to the recurrence of a long-term back problem.

“My body’s going pretty well at the moment,” he said. “I’ve had this six or seven weeks to work on my rehab, work on my strength for my hamstring and my back and, touch wood, I think I’m fully fit at this stage.

“You always have niggles… (but) I’m confident I’m as fit as I can be to perform at my best.”

Australia defend the Champions Trophy in England next month before the Ashes series, which begins at Trent Bridge on July 10. (Editing by John O’Brien)

Smith, who won 110 caps for his country before retiring from international rugby in 2010, damaged the joint playing for the Brumbies against the New South Wales Waratahs last Saturday, the eve of the announcement of the preliminary Wallabies squad.

The 32-year-old, who played all three tests on the 2001 Lions tour, would have been included in the 25-man party after the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) had concluded protracted negotiations with his Japanese club Suntory last week.

The injury setback led to his omission, however, with Michael Hooper and Liam Gill named by Robbie Deans as the two contenders for the key number seven shirt.

Ironically, Smith got his chance to shine at the Brumbies this year because of a season-ending knee injury to Australia’s first choice openside flanker David Pocock.

Scans revealed Smith’s medial ligament tear was grade two in seriousness, however, which could mean only six weeks on the sidelines and the possibility he might be available for the second of three tests against the Lions on June 29.

While that looks an unlikely option, an injury to Hooper or Gill, one of whom is likely to sit on the bench, would leave Australia short in a department where they boasted an embarrassment of riches at the start of the season.

Brumbies centre Pat McCabe has a far better chance of facing the tourists after a scan on the knee injury he suffered in Saturday’s clash revealed there was no structural damage to the joint.

“It’s a bit hard to put a time line at the moment,” McCabe told reporters in Canberra.

“It’s a matter of this swelling settling down and then I can start running and it won’t be much longer. I’m almost walking normally now.”

McCabe, a hard-running and direct inside centre, has won 19 caps under coach Robbie Deans and is a strong contender for one of the six spots remaining in the squad that will be announced on June 11.

The 25-year-old also extended his deal with the Wallabies and Brumbies for two years through to the end of the 2015 World Cup on Tuesday.

“It’s been a privilege to wear the gold jersey and represent the country,” McCabe said in a news release.

“One aspect of the team in the last couple of years is that most of the players have been of a similar age, so we’ve learnt together while having some great experiences.” (Editing by Patrick Johnston)

Three uncapped players were included in the preliminary party announced on Sunday for the three tests in June and July but most of remaining 22 named were hardened veterans of international rugby.

James O’Connor is one of them with 37 internationals already under his belt and it was the 22-year-old that Deans revealed was his first choice to start in the number 10 shirt in the first test in Brisbane on June 22.

“We think he caters for our needs,” Deans argued. “He wasn’t available for us at any stage last year, but the last time he played for us at 10, against Wales at the end of 2011, he did a very good job.

“He’s just got the components that we’re looking for. He’s clearly a bloke that traumatizes defenses, he keeps the attack very square, which provides opportunities for the channels around him.”

Despite being a hugely talented player with a proven big match temperament, however, O’Connor has started at flyhalf for Australia just once and only recently took up the role with his Super Rugby side the Melbourne Rebels.

To some extent, Deans’s hand has been forced by Kurtley Beale’s off-field problems, the string of injuries that have bedevilled Berrick Barnes and his concerns over the defensive frailties of Quade Cooper.

“None of our five-eighths have had consistent time at international level for the last couple of years and that’s been an element of frustration for us,” Deans added.

“The great thing is we’ve got a number who are capable of doing it at that level, it’s just a matter of deciding which one will serve the team’s needs best.

“And in the first instance, James has got that opportunity.”

A precocious talent, O’Connor made his test debut as an 18-year-old against Italy in late 2008, becoming the second youngest player to play for the Wallabies.

Playing initially on the wing, he firmly established himself as a big-game player when he scored a try after the siren and then cooly converted it from the touchline as the Wallabies beat the All Blacks 26-24 in Hong Kong in 2010.

Another clutch kick, this time a 71st-minute penalty, gave Australia an 11-9 victory over the Springboks in the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals.

ANGLED PASSES

A prodigious kicker and thrilling runner with the ball, O’Connor plays a straighter game at flyhalf half than Cooper, taking the ball up to the line and then dispatching runners through fissures in the defense with short, angled passes.

Most importantly considering the bulk of most of the Lions backs and loose forwards heading to Australia, O’Connor has good upper body strength and will not flinch from defending the line when the red shirts come charging at him.

Deans needs no convincing of the virtues of Australia’s traditional running game but has continually reiterated the importance of being able to handle what the Lions throw at the Wallabies too.

“The game is such in this day and age that you cannot be one-dimensional and hope to succeed,” he said.

“We’re going to have to threaten the width of the ground and make good decisions in the game.

“The Lions will bring a lot of pressure to bear, try and squeeze us at our end. They’ll play territorially, they’ll try and bring the referee into the game.

“(We’ll play with) ball in hand, but there are times we’ll have to put ball to foot if that’s the prudent thing to do.”

Deans will name a final 31-strong squad on June 11 and strongly indicated that the remaining Super Rugby matches are an opportunity for players to press their claims.

Barnes, a fine tactician, has returned in good form at just the right time to make the squad, while the mercurial Cooper was served notice that the Queensland Reds match against the Lions on June 8 will be his audition for a place in the final squad.

Beale, another richly talented player, could also yet emerge from his personal problems and stake a claim for the number 10 shirt but at the moment it is O’Connor’s to lose.

Deans, though, knows that his job is effectively on the line in the Lions series and the New Zealander can be ruthless with players, however talented, he feels has let him down.

Asked whether it was time for O’Connor to step up and firmly establish himself as the orchestrator of Australia’s backline, Deans did not waste words.

“Has to be,” he said.

(Editing by Patrick Johnston)