Johnson relishes the big stage: Finch

Mitchell Johnson played second fiddle to his namesake throughout the World Cup, but the veteran seems to have saved his best for the business end.

Mitchell Starc has been the leader of Australia's bowling attack over the past six weeks, taking 20 wickets including a haul of 6-28 against New Zealand in the pool stage.

Johnson, relegated to being a first-change bowler, had been solid yet unspectacular up until the semi-final. 

Highlights: Smith, Johnson propel Australia to final

At the SCG, the left-armer removed dangermen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with two cracking deliveries.

Aaron Finch is expecting more of the same from Johnson in Sunday's trans-Tasman final.

"Johnno's someone who loves the big stage," Finch said.

"He's a guy who really relishes leading from the front when the team needs it."

Johnson conceded 34 runs off 13 balls when the two sides met in the pool stage, with Brendon McCullum blasting a half-century off 21 balls.

"He took me apart, I haven't been belted like that for a long while," Johnson told radio station 2UE at the time.

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Air Johnson // Getty Images

Sri Lanka veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan also got hold of Johnson in the group phase, hammering him for six fours in an over.

Michael Clarke suggested Johnson would be a "dangerous weapon" to have in the MCG final.

"He's a wicket-taker. He's an x-factor, but he's got experience under pressure," Clarke said.

"He's been exceptional. I love having him in the team.

"He probably hasn't had the standout tournament that everybody expects of him all the time.

"Because he's such a great performer, you expect him to take five wickets every time he walks out onto that field.

"But I think he's done a fantastic job for this team throughout this tournament." 

Watch: Finch happy to grind out runs