MELBOURNE: Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has cut down on alcohol in his continuing effort to rebuild his career which was thrown off-track by a disappointing Ashes series earlier this year.

He abstained from alcohol for three months after Australia lost the series 1-3 in January and has been staying away from the bottle at regular intervals.

"I just wanted to make the most of the opportunity I've got playing for Australia," Johnson told the 'Sunday Telegraph'.

"I'm not saying drinking affects the way I play, but I just wanted to give myself every chance, have my head clear. It was something I wanted to test myself with as well, see if I could do the time, three months. It's pretty hard work when there are guys celebrating around you after you have a win," he said.

Source: The Times of India