Kevin Pietersen: England Are Preying on Weakness of Mitchell Johnson

Kevin Pietersen says England are 'preying on' the weakness of Mitchell Johnson, and believes this Australia side lack the aura of their predecessors.

Australian fast bowler Johnson came into the series with a burgeoning reputation as one of the most dangerous wicket takers in world cricket, but in the first two Test has failed to match the expectations he carried to England.

Pietersen told Sky Sports: "We certainly know that he's struggling. I think everybody can see that he's struggling. The good thing we're doing at the moment in this England team is that we're preying well on guys that aren't playing well. I think Mitchell Johnson is a guy that the guys are preying on. But he is a fantastic bowler and he might come back really strong at Edgbaston. Its going to be an important thing to get on top of him and get on top of this Australian side."

Playing this Australian side is a very different proposition to the previous incarnations Pietersen come up against. The 29-year-old said: "They've still got their fantastic players and a team led by a great player in Ricky Ponting, But it's very different (to 2005 and 2007) because they don't have the presence and personalities like we played against.

"My first ten Tests I had Warne at first slip, Hayden in the gully, I had Langer, Gilchrist, Ponting behind you. And you play and miss a ball and they're telling you exactly what you're doing and what you shouldn't be doing. Which I enjoyed and I found a whole load of fun. But there's not the presence on the field which the Australian sides of the past had. I believe if we do play good cricket like we did at Lord's we can beat this Australian side."

Pietersen was ruled out of the last three Test matches of this year's Ashes after undergoing surgery on an injured achilles, but he gave his full backing to replacement Ian Bell who this morning was named in England's side for the Edgbaston Test.

"I think he's a world class player and I think being left out for so long has hardened Belly up," said Pietersen. "(It) will have toughened Belly up and he'll use this opportunity well. So I don't see Belly struggling at all during the next three Test matches. I hope he doesn't. I hope he comes in and does really really well."

Despite his bullish support for the team, Pietersen remains 'devastated' that he will take no part in the remaining Tests. "I'm finding it very difficult at the moment knowing that on Thursday I'll be at Edgbaston, because I'm going to go and watch the boys and support the boys because I think that's important," he said. "To know that I can't be playing will kill me inside."