Merv Hughes backs Mitchell Johnson to take 300 Test wickets Mitchell Johnson Photo: Getty Images Merv Hughes, one of the selectors who gave Mitchell Johnson his international debut, is urging the panel not to overtax the star left-armer in the fear it could lead to a premature end of his golden run. Hughes, unlike many of his contemporaries from the 1980s and early '90s, is a fan of the rotation system and believes a prudent approach with Johnson could have him play into his mid-30s and become only the fifth Australian to pass 300 wickets. Johnson has been the player of the first two Tests and a key factor in Australia taking a stranglehold on the Ashes heading into the third Test starting in Perth on Friday. Hughes, who served as a national selector from 2005-10 during which Johnson entered the international scene, says Australia may not have looked after the paceman during his early days. Johnson became a regular in all three versions of the game for Australia in 2007 and remained so until a serious injury two years ago, but his form started fluctuating wildly well before that during the 2009 Ashes. The rotation policy that outraged past greats and fans last season appears to have taken a back seat since Darren Lehmann was appointed coach midyear, though it is likely several of Australia's Test stars will be given time off once the Ashes finishes in early January. "He knows how to prepare," Hughes said. I dare say they're going to rest and rotate him, which is what a lot of people disagree with. I agree with it wholeheartedly. The players don't want to be rested but to get longevity in this day and age - and Mitchell Johnson is capable of playing all forms of the game - they have to look after him. I don't think we looked after him too well when he was playing all forms of the game. Johnson, however, is also integral to Australia's limited-overs side, which is gearing up for the world Twenty20 in March and the 50-over World Cup at the end of next summer. There is also a Test tour of South Africa in February in which Johnson will also play a key role if fit. Johnson, with 222 wickets from 53 Tests, is the man most likely to be the next inductee into Australia's exclusive 300 club, of which only Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Dennis Lillee and Brett Lee hold membership. With Australia due to play 28 Tests between now and the end of the 2015-16 summer, Johnson, at his rate of 4.19 wickets a game, should pass the milestone in the next two years if he stays fit. Hughes is backing the 32-year-old, saying he could play into his mid-30s. "If he continues to take four wickets a Test match, which he's capable of doing - you do the maths, it adds up," he said. You would think he'd have another three or four years in him, minimum. Johnson preferred to focus on the now. "It's being in the moment and not thinking too far ahead of myself," he said. I've been in this situation before where I've had this media attention, I've played well, and you can let it all slip away by thinking too far ahead. Although the previous selection panel headed by Andrew Hilditch was widely criticised during its tenure, the faith it showed in Johnson is reaping handsome rewards for Australia. "We stuck with him early because he was taking wickets and making runs," Hughes said. He's a quality athlete, fields well, he has a Test hundred, a few 90s, averages four wickets a Test match and that's a combination you look for. There's been a lot of people critical of Mitchell Johnson, particularly in the last two to three years when he went off the boil a little bit, heavy workload, and he's back now at his very best and I'm happy for him that he's playing well.