Sydney: Mitchell Johnson looked at his menacing best with his moustache. But his glare at opposing batsmen might have lost some of its terror now that his long black moustache has been shaved off.

“I do feel bare without it,” Johnson admitted after his wife shaved it off in public on Tuesday. The Australian speedster raised thousands of dollars for charity by growing it.

“It definitely was intimidating at times I’m sure,” Johnson added. “You look at past fast bowlers like Dennis Lillee and Merv Hughes, it definitely makes a bit of a statement. For South Africa (tour), it’ll definitely be there,” he said.

Johnson destroyed England in the Ashes and is promising the same level of intimidation when he returns to Australia’s one-day side on Friday.

The pacer was given time off for Australia’s opening ODI win in Melbourne, on Sunday. Now, he says, he’s ready to go again. “I mentally needed that break,” Johnson said.

“I don’t think it will break my momentum at all... I’m looking forward to getting back to one-day cricket. You can still use your short-pitched ball and be aggressive in the 50-over format,” said Johnson. (PTI)