Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes Mitchell Johnson re-opened old Ashes wounds during the second Test thrashing.

England capitulated at Lord’s on Sunday, bowled out for just 103 in pursuit of a mammoth 509.

Their meek collapse was reminiscent of the 2013-14 Ashes series, in which Australia won 5-0 and Johnson terrorised England, taking 37 wickets at 13.97.

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The left-arm quick took 3-27 on Sunday, including the key scalp of England captain Alastair Cook (11), to ensure Australia levelled the series at 1-1 with three Tests to play.

It gave Johnson six wickets for the match and Ponting felt he was back to his best – an ominous sign ahead of the rest of the series.

“Mitchell Johnson looked as menacing as ever,” Ponting told ESPNCricinfo.

Smith after reaching 200. Photo: Getty

“You put it [England’s collapse] down to great fast bowling, really.

“Once they lost three or four [wickets] in the second innings as well, I think they knew the game was done but they didn’t show as much application as their dressing room and their fans probably would have liked.

“Mitchell Johnson spoke after the first innings about just maybe trying to open up some old Ashes wounds and old Ashes scars.

“I think his bowling today will go a long way to doing some of that.”

Ponting was confident Australia would respond from a poor first-up showing in Wales and hailed the efforts of man-of-the-match Steve Smith and opener Chris Rogers in setting up their lead.

Smith hit a career-high 215 in the first innings while Rogers added 173 as Michael Clarke’s men posted an imposing 8-566.

“I thought that they’d bounce back like they did,” he said.

“They were nowhere near as bad as they showed in that first Test.

“Steven Smith played probably his best ever Test match innings and Chris Rogers, one of the older guys as well, played probably as well as he has played at Test level.

“[There were] some really good, positive signs for Australia.”

Ponting also felt England would struggle to bounce back from a demoralising defeat in the third Test at Edgbaston, starting on July 29.

“Australia were at like 60 or 70 per cent [of their best] in Cardiff and they lost in four days. They’ve been nearly 100 per cent here and they’ve won in four days,” he said.

“If England played at their absolute best in the next game, then I’m sure the contest will be a lot closer.

“But can they do that now? After such a big loss like that, are they capable of just flicking the switch like Australia have and turning on a performance like they did in Cardiff?”