Ashes 2015: Mitchell Johnson joins the 300 club as Australian paceman adds Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes to his wicket collection

Johnson now has 300 Test wickets to his name after dismissing middle order batsmen early on day two

Mitchell Johnson celebrates taking the wicket of Ben Stokes (Reuters)

After enjoying an excellent first day at Edgbaston, England were brought crashing back to reality on Day Two by a familiar foe – the moustachioed Mitchell Johnson – who moved past 300 Test wickets in his first over of the day.

It was the perfect start for Australia as first Johnson bounced out Jonny Bairstow with an absolute snorter, claiming his 300th Test wicket in the process, and then two balls later he repeated the trick with Ben Stokes, Test wicket number 301.

Johnson becomes only the fifth Australian bowler to reach 300 wickets, and is now just nine victims behind Brett Lee who retired in 2008 with 310 Test scalps.

The left armer has taken his wickets in just 69 Tests, at an average of 27.62, although he has particularly enjoyed himself against England, averaging 24.52.

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However in recent years Johnson has been England’s bête noire, picking up 47 wickets in eight matches against Alastair Cook’s side since 2013, at a frightening average of just 17.19.

As a result of this, Johnson has been something of a pantomime villain for the crowd at Edgbaston, who have booed him every time he comes on to bowl. However following his stellar opening over, in which he removed both Stokes and Bairstow, they all applauded him heartily.

Australia celebrate the early wicket of Jonny Bairstow on day two (Reuters)

Elsewhere Cricket Australia decided to honour Johnson’s personal milestone with a bizarre tweet depicting the fast bowler as King Leonidas from the film 300. You can see their effort in all it’s ‘glory’ below:

England meanwhile are looking to rebuild following Johnson’s early onslaught, with Joe Root moving past 50 before being dismissed for 63.