Hughes, unlike many of his contemporaries from the 1980s and early '90s, is a fan of the controversial rotation system and believes a prudent approach with Johnson could see 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 selector from 2005-10, during which Johnson came onto the international scene, feels Australia may not have looked after the paceman in 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 some last season appears to have taken a back seat since Darren Lehmann's appointment as coach, 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, 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,'' Hughes said.

''The players don't want to be rested, but to get longevity in this day and age 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.''

But Johnson is also integral to Australia's limited-overs sides - one which is gearing up for a Twenty20 world title in March, and the one-day World Cup in 2015.

The Australians also have a Test tour of South Africa, starting in February, in which Johnson will also play a key role.

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 current rate of 4.19 wickets a game should pass the milestone sometime during the next two years, provided he remains sound.

''If he continues to take four wickets a Test match, which he's capable of doing, it adds up,'' Hughes said.

But 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 now reaping handsome rewards.

''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.''