Michael Clarke says he never doubted Mitchell Johnson as Australia ripped through England on day four of the second Ashes Test at Lords to win the match and level the series 1-1.

The fast bowler came under criticism after the opening contest in Cardiff as he took just 0 wickets for 111 runs in the first innings of Australias defeat to England – his worst ever Test figures.

However, Johnson was once again at his best at Lords as he claimed three wickets on the way to helping his side secure a convincing 405-run victory.

And after witnessing Johnson play a pivotal role in Australias second innings dismissal of England for 103 runs, captain Clarke claimed he never doubted the 33-year-old to come good once more.

Its the same it has been with my whole career with Mitch, I have always seen how good an athlete he is to be honest, said Clarke.

I think today [Sunday 19 July] was a good example with that run-out in the field. His bowling we have all seen over his career. And his batting is the same, I think he is striking the ball really well with the bat. Mitch is a great weapon to have in your team thats for sure.

I think I probably utilised him a bit better in this Test match than I did in Cardiff, but again he is fit and strong so he can bowl long spells if required or he can come on and bowl in short bursts like he did today. But I think the whole attack deserves credit because the way they bowl allows me to use Mitchell the way I did in this game.

The only dark note in an otherwise complete performance by Australia was the retirement of opener Chris Rogers on 49 during the second innings.

The 37-year-old was struck in the head in the first innings on his way to 173 and during the second he was forced to retire after suddenly complaining about feeling dizzy.

Rogers will be assessed by the Australian teams doctors but Clarke is hopeful that he will have his opener for the third Test at Edgbaston on July 29.

I dont know enough about it at this stage but it seems to me that todays incident is no relation to him getting hit in the West Indies or the other day, Clarke added.

So we will wait and see the result, and well let the experts have a look at him and make their decisions. But Im confident Chris will be right for the next Test match.