Australia’s Mitchell Johnson, right, is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Alastair Cook on the second day of the fourth cricket test match between England and Australia, at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, England, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)
Resurgent paceman Mitchell Johnson has produced a show-stopping performance as an irrepressible Australia closed in on a record thumping of England at Headingley.
Marcus North (110) and Ben Hilfenhaus (2-37) pummelled England before Johnson (3-21) set about finishing off the job and levelling the Ashes series at 1-1 in the fourth Test.
Needing to score 343 to make Australia bat again, England were in dire straits at 5-82 in its second innings at stumps on day two with Matt Prior (4) and James Anderson (0) unbeaten.
Johnson’s performance completed a stunning form revival considering his erratic performances had jeopardised Australia’s Ashes campaign in the second Test loss at Lord’s.
England were still 261 runs behind in Leeds and have some work to do to avoid their worst Test defeat on home soil.
The biggest previous loss was by an innings and 226 runs against the West Indies in 1973 at Lord’s, their worst home Ashes defeat being by an innings and 180 runs at Trent Bridge in 1989.
Australia came into this match a bit like the Headingley ground, under construction.
But they have turned an England side missing Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff to rubble.
North earlier swatted spinner Graeme Swann for six to bring up his century in spectacular fashion as Australia mounted an imposing 445 in response to England’s 102.
The left-hander went down on one knee and launched the off-spinner into the crowd over the midwicket boundary before removing his helmet and yelling out: “You beauty”.
In reply, England lost 5-20 in 44 balls late in the day starting with Hilfenhaus trapping captain Andrew Strauss (32) and Ravi Bopara (0) in front in consecutive deliveries.
There were some question marks over the latter’s dismissal and the No.3 has now scored 105 at 15 for the series.
Ian Bell (3) and Paul Collingwood’s (4) dismissals were much more clear cut as Johnson started exposing England’s middle order.
The left-armer had opener Alastair Cook (30) caught behind and then had Prior dropped off the final ball of the day by North at third slip.
Taking the pressure off Johnson by removing him from new ball duties has seemed to have worked as he steamed in and importantly had the ball tailing back in at the right-handers.
As the players left the field at the end, the players parted for Johnson to walk off first but he stopped and pushed North in front of him.
North said Johnson deserved the plaudits.
“All players have their ups and downs and we know he’s had a difficult month, but showed great signs at Edgbaston,” he said.
“Great to see a guy getting the rewards he deserves.”
But North said there was still work to be done.
“We have still got five wickets to get,” he said.
“The game is not in the bag just yet we have to apply ourselves to create a few more opportunities tomorrow.
With the tourists eight down earlier on and having made 96 at Edgbaston just five days ago, North took matters into his own hands on the same score with a cross bat swipe.
No.10 Stuart Clark (32) then produced some shots of his own for the highlights package, launching Swann for a towering straight six and then pulling paceman Stuart Broad (6-91) for consecutive sixes in the next over.
Broad deservedly collected career-best figures by knocking over the tail after having stemmed the bleeding late on day one.
The right-armer paid credit to the Australians.
“They’re a very talented side,” Broad said.
“You’ve got five or six players who average over 50 with the bat and they’ve got some talented quick bowlers.”
Michael Clarke (93) earlier missed out on his third century in as many Ashes Tests at Leeds, his sparkling innings ending just before lunch.
Jameswm
Guest
That's quite funny - because VC you don't regret saying that at all. It's an ongoing theme of yours.
Hazey the Bear
Roar Rookie
Yes, Viscount, let's put this "bully-boy tactics" problem squarely on the shoulders on the Australians, and forget that Bodyline ever existed...You want a precedent? Try that one.
Viscount Crouchback
Roar Rookie
Quite so, PP. And it is the gentlemanly aura that we need to restore to Test match cricket. I regret to say that the Australians are to blame. The frightfully aggressive behaviour of Allan Border's team - commented on by Mike Atherton during this series - set a precedent which every aspiring cricketing nation now seeks to emulate. The lesson that has gone out to the world is this: You can only win if you act like a bully and behave barbarously. It is to Australia's - and Border's and Waugh's - shame that they instigated this disgraceful turn of events.
prowling panther
Roar Rookie
the glaring and the sledging and the crowd v Ponting really show the bad feeling between these two old rivals It does detract from the gentlemanly aura of test cricket but its great theatre
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Toughening up in technique,VC, The only way to get respect in Grade cricket is to bowl or bat well. I have found Australia loves a competitor and you cant compete if your technique is wanting. Talent is one thing but hours spent in the sun practicing soon stop you bowling half trackers.
Viscount Crouchback
Roar Rookie
Not sure about that, Vinay. I hear that a stint in Oz toughens a chap up. But I'm not sure Broad needs toughening up. It's his basic bowling technique and ability that I worry about. The odd thing about Broad is that he was a batsman until the age of 17. He's therefore relatively new to bowling. England are taking the view that he's bound to come good eventually. Whilst I admire their forbearance, I should jolly well like to see the chap dropped for The Oval and replaced by someone who can do the business in the here and now. Step forward Mr Sidebottom.
JohnB
Guest
VC - pretty good hair also. Broad is a bit of an enigma's enigma - he looked taller than Harmison when they stood next to each other at one point, and if the speed gun is to be believed his pace touches 90mph at times, so he has the basic tools to be a more than decent bowler. On the other hand, his pace slips down to the low 80's much of the time, and he doesn't seem to get people hopping about. Yesterday he bowled short and unthreateningly a lot and spent a lot of time bowling 2 feet wide of off with a 7/2 field to try to keep the scoring down - but couldn't do so consistently enough to actually stop the scoring. He was also getting stroppy with fielders, umpires, and the world in general from time to time. Two of his wickets yesterday were catches on the midwicket fence (Johnson and North), and a third was Clark chopping on while swinging the bat, so while they all count in the record books you could argue Broad shouldn't get full credit for them. His other wicket yesterday, Siddle bowled neck and crop, looked a very good ball. Didn't see his 2 wickets day one so can't comment on them. Is it fair to say his bowling is a bit like Shane Watson's (at least when Watson has a patch of full fitness) - good pace, but no X factor and not the consistency to get good players out on good wickets?
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Viscount, you may find this an anathema to you but a stint in Sydney Grade cricket would complete the man's education, broadly speaking of course. It has hitherto proved beneficial to Strauss, Boycott, Greig,Gatting et al.
Colin N
Guest
Vinay, it depends where Broad will improve though. In the County Championship, he reguarly picks up good hauls and the standard simply isn't good enough. What do you do? Send him back to his county to work on his action or consistancy perhaps? And then test it out in the domestic arena? Or persist with him at test match level and get Otis Gibson working closely with him? Maybe the best answer is not to select him for the winter tour(s) and let him work on his bowling?
Viscount Crouchback
Roar Rookie
Broad has certain attributes - a strong mind, a clever brain, good batting skills, gorgeous skin - but he's patently inadequate as a Test match bowler. It's remarkable that he continues to be picked whilst men like Sidebottom - who on form is one of the most threatening bowlers in world cricket (just ask New Zealand) - languish in County cricket. Vinay is right. Broad probably will be terrific in two years. But this is an Ashes series. You pick for the here and now.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Colin..Broad bowled terribly and was put to the sword by Clark(not Clarke) hitting him for two sixes. However I think Broad is one for the future and in two years could well be an improved Test match bowler.
Colin N
Guest
Another great day for Australia. Mitchell Johnson is a man reborn, the delivery to get rid of Cook was excellent (that considering it's the only wicket I've seen so far in today's play, and I can't particularly take myself to watch the highlights). One thing that struck me though was Broad's figures of 6-91. Did he actually bowl well? He had a good spell yesterday and seemed to back it up. It's a matter of earning a bit of pride now for England and I'm sure we'll look forward with excitement to the final test match of the Ashes at the Oval, locked at 1-1.
megatron
Guest
What a turn around in the series! Welcome back Mitchell. Wonder if the GF and Mum sorted out their differences