A tale of two bowlers: Johnson & Hauritz

 

Roar Rookie

By Fred Magee, 20 Jul 2009 Fred Magee is a Roar Rookie

Tagged:

 Cricket, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, The Ashes

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‘Great Expectations’ is not only a classic Charles Dickens novel but also what most Australians had of Mitchell Johnson. Unfortunately for Australia and himself, he has failed to deliver on them.

Mitchell Johnson’s form leading into the Ashes has seen him take on the mantle of ‘leader’ of the Australian bowling attack and it is a role that he played with great success during the Australian summer and in South Africa.

So well did he spearhead the attack, most fans and I dare say the captain, would have hoped and expected that he would deliver similar results if not better in England. What has happened is that Johnson has struggled both in Cardiff and at Lords.

There have been many theories as to why; his wrist position at release, the rest period he had after South Africa, the inexperience with the English conditions and the Duke ball. One could even argue that it was unfair or unrealistic for such expectations to be placed on him.

Johnson is still a young bowler and was forced into the leadership position due to injuries to Brett Lee and Stuart Clark. Many a bowler before him has had trouble in their first tour to England but rarely has anyone been more crucial to an Ashes defence.

Whatever the reason, the key will be what Ricky Ponting and the selectors do next. Stuart Clark is fit and champing at the bit while Brett Lee is nearly fit to return to the side. It will be very hard to keep the faith in Johnson when in all likelihood they will go to Edgbaston 1-0 down.

When it comes to expectations, it has been the exact opposite for the much maligned spinner Nathan Hauritz. The only thing that he was expected to turn was Australian heads as they looked away while he was carted to all corners of the ground by the likes of Pietersen, Strauss, Flintoff and co.

Over the opening two Tests, Hauritz has bowled with intelligence, skill and determination as he has been able to extract both bounce and turn. He has conceded more runs than what we have been used to from a spinner in the past but fact is there will not be another spinner in our lifetime who will bowl with the same balance of control and attack of S.K. Warne.

More importantly, Hauritz has taken wickets which are what Australia needs to win Test matches.

As I write this piece, Australia is fighting an uphill battle to draw the Lords Test. While the first innings batting effort contributed to this position, the bowling performance in the English first innings helped set up the tone of the game and started the momentum forward for the English.

Unless there is a massive form reversal in the warm up game against Northamptonshire, Johnson must make way for Clark or Lee. Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle have stepped up and answered the call but there needs to be someone at the other end to do their share of the heavy lifting.

As for Nathan Hauritz, he just needs to continue to back himself and give the ball one hell of a rip. He has been the best performing spinner out of both sides and the English batsmen will by now have stopped believing what has been written and spoken about him.

I dare say some Australian supporters have stopped believing them as well.

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