Mitch to take Warner role as top aggressor

Fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson has put his hand up to step into the shoes of David Warner and be Australia's chief aggressor in their World Cup semi-final against India on Thursday.

Warner has been at the centre of several fiery incidents with the touring Indian side this summer and has twice been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council for breaching the player Code of Conduct.

Warner and Sharma exchange words at the MCG

Warner is one of several players involved in Thursday's match to have attracted the ire of the ICC this summer; Indian pair Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan were fined along with Warner during the first Test in Adelaide and Mitchell Starc was reprimanded during the Sydney Test, while Australia allrounder Shane Watson was fined along with Pakistan quick Wahab Riaz for their duel in Adelaide on Friday.

Johnson was also on the receiving end of a sustained verbal barrage from India's fielders when he was batting during the second Test in Brisbane, and the left-hander flourished with a crucial 88 as Australia won by four wickets.

Mitchell Johnson hammers India's bowlers in Brisbane

Despite ICC boss Dave Richardson's warning before the World Cup that repeat offenders will be hit with match bans, allrounder Glenn Maxwell said this week Australia aren't concerned that Warner will be dragged into another incident with India and risk a potential ban.

And Johnson has suggested that Warner may take a back seat when it comes to Australia's aggressive approach in the field at the SCG this week.

"I heard Davey say he wasn't going to get involved in all that stuff," Johnson told Fox Sports.

"Someone's got to do it and I think I might put my hand up.

"It's part of the game and what happened the other day with Shane (Watson) and Wahab (Riaz) I thought was exceptional, the way they played the game.

"It was unfortunate with what happened afterwards. I thought it was great entertaining cricket to watch and I think you're going to see some more entertainment this game."

In his exclusive blog with cricket.com.au this week, Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann said it was "a bit disappointing" that Watson and Wahab had been sanctioned for their contest in Adelaide last week, which three-time World Cup winner Ricky Ponting labelled "cricket at its absolute best".

Exclusive: Lehmann confident ahead of World Cup semi

Brian Lara and Kevin Pietersen had also praised the epic contest between the pair and Lehmann says the fines handed down would do nothing to dampen the passion on show on Thursday night.

"I can’t help but think it’s a bit disappointing that the exchange was deemed to have crossed the line and I’ve been interested to read that greats of the game such as Brian Lara and Kevin Pietersen were surprised that’s how it was interpreted.," Lehmann wrote.

Wahab's mesmerising spell against Australia in Adelaide

"But I have no doubt the passion and the thrills that Wahab’s spell ignited among the crowd in Adelaide will be there for all to see and hear at the SCG when we take on India in Thursday’s semi-final."

Australia allrounder James Faulkner echoed the coach's sentiments on Monday, saying tensions would be high in such a high-stakes game.

"There's going to be words said and it's going to be a really tough contest," Faulkner said.

"I think there always is (sledging) in the game, if there isn't you've got problems.

"It's the nature of the game, it's a semi-final. Cut throat.

"Neither team will be backing down."