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Did Mitchell Johnson bowl Test cricket's greatest ever over?

Roar Guru
21st November, 2015
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Mitchell Johnson may not have been the best ever, but did he bowl the best over ever? (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
21st November, 2015
40
2522 Reads

There have been thousands, perhaps millions, of overs in Test cricket, and some great ones. But did Mitchell Johnson bowl the greatest ever?

During Curtly Ambrose’s 25-ball spell where he took 7-1 against Australia in Perth, there were some quality overs no doubt.

Shoaib Akhtar could generate heat on his day and when in rhythm could get the ball swinging at pace. But stringing six quality balls together may have been just outside of his abilities.

Shane Warne, especially at his peak, bowled some magnificent overs. His 6-34 against South Africa in 1997 was full of quality stuff. Warne was so gifted he could take balls around the wicket, over the wicket and often overweight.

However the best of all time came at the Adelaide Oval. A resurgent Mitchell Johnson, whose Test career had looked over before the Ashes summer of 2013-14, was bowling fast. On a traditional batsmen-friendly wicket, he had the English jumping.

The first ball had Ben Stokes adjudged leg before wicket. Fast, straight and plumb in front.

Then he really sent a message to England. He shook up Matt Prior with three brilliant short balls. The thunderbolts, as Mark Taylor described at the time, at 149 kilometres per hour had Prior thinking twice about coming forward. Three thunderbolts later, all making Prior’s heart race faster and feet move slower, Johnson pitched the ball up further, finding the edge of Prior’s bat. Out, caught behind.

The final ball of the over saw Stuart Broad come to the crease. He had been busy watching the previous four balls hoping Prior wouldn’t get out. Johnson honed in as Broad exposed his leg stump. The ball bent the leg stump backwards and Broad was gone first ball.

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Johnson ended up with 7-40, helping Australia to another win in a 5-0 series.

He bowled six meaningful balls: three took wickets, and three short ones helped take two of the wickets.

Was it Test cricket’s greatest over? You better believe it was.

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