Australia’s Mitchell Johnson celebrates after taking the wicket of England’s Graham Onions. AAP Images
At the moment, when Mitchell Johnson is hot, he is world beater. But when he is cold, he couldn’t buy a wicket. In the 2009 Ashes campaign, he bowled one beautiful spell where he made the ball swing and won the Test match, making the Poms look like amateurs.
But then the rest of the series, he couldn’t move the ball an inch. It’s a contrast when you watch Mohammed Aamer and even Shane Watson swing the ball.
Obviously his action is a problem, and because he hasn’t been consistent, his confidence is down as you can notice that with his batting and his lack of taking wickets.
His ability is unquestioned, but the only thing saving him at the moment is the fact he is left handed and can bowl quick, creating the angle across the right-handed batsmen.
In the last 30 years of Australian cricket, we have had Terry Alderman, Geoff Lawson, and even Damien Fleming used to help. We could even bring Wasim Akram in as a consultant.
Mitchell Johnson is still untapped in his potential as a cricketer. We just don’t want it to be wasted.
Lolly
Guest
'm glad to see you write that as I mentioned this above .It is strange that he can't swing the ball very often anymore as he could move it when he came on the scene. It was a great strength of his. Vinay is right, Cooley must have stuffed around with him as how could he get no movement in such swing bowling conditions as in the Headingley test?
the Garden Gnome
Roar Rookie
It's a bit of a conundrum. I've had the privilege of keeping to Mitch for a couple of seasons in my younger days and he used to be able to swing the ball fiercely at great pace. There was the odd sprayed ball, but you get that at 1st grade country cricket level. Can't quite understand why he's lost the swing and probably sprays the ball more now than he ever did. I actually think he needs to do what Damien Flemming did: Flem made a major change that boosted his test career by shortening his run-up considerably which put less emphasis on his rhythm and more concentration on pumping power into 'the lock-up at the crease'....which will actually help his rhythm (funnily enough). It all comes down to what type of bowler you are. Brett Lee is always going to benefit from a long rhythmical run-up, if he shortened his, then i reckon he'd just become slow and ripe for the picking. Whereas with Mitch - In my opinion shortening the run-up further (not a long one to start with) will also help his swing because innevitably arm position and wrist position will be pulled into line when focusing on the action area rather than getting through the crease rhythmically. This will drop him down to a 135km/hr - 145km/hr bowler who can swing it more, cut the ball at differing paces especially on Indian decks where he actually bowls his best. This flies in the face of conventional fast bowling techniques, but Mitch is not your conventional fast bowler. He could really focus on being a brilliant number 3 behind Dougy and Hilfy and form a long-term trio that will no doubt get better and really help the Aussies get back to being the powerhouse of Test cricket.
Fisher Price
Guest
Indeed, he's a good hitter. Can't take the new ball though. Some spearhead. Bollinger's the better bowler and has been for 4 years.
Whiteline
Guest
Fisher Supporters based on desperation and no alternatives. I'm with you, not a fan and never have been in regards bowling. Hits a clean ball though, albeit very inconsistently.
Fisher Price
Guest
He was a world-beater against SA in a losing cause at Perth (208/09), but since then - not for me. Waywardness personified. He has ferocious supporters though.
Lolly
Guest
Mitchell Johnson isn't the sharpest tool in the kit so if they have tried to fiddle too much with what he does it was bound to end in tears. I remember when he first came on to the international scene, he could actually swing the ball pretty nicely at speed in swing bowling conditions. Maybe he just prefers the white ball? But even that seems to have just about dried up for him which is as you say a real indictment of whatever the system is doing.
Whiteline
Guest
Vinay - I have said the same thing before and agree with you 100%. It gets back to my often rolled out line about having people with intelligence running the show. The two examples you have mentioned need examining.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Lolly,the question is : What is Troy Cooley doing? He was lured back to Australia at great cost. And what of Nielsen? Have these two scrambled both Johnson's wrist and mind? I wrote on the Roar last year a piece Blame the Mechanic and questioned the expertise of the coaches. The piece is still relevant .
Lolly
Guest
His bowling in this match has been so gun-barrel straight it has done my head in. It's like he's actually bowling somewhere else compared to all the other bowlers. He hasn't even been that fast. Mostly around 140ks. He hasn't got the temperament for the big time, you know? Not enough fire in the belly, plus his action is a very, very delicate beast. Terrible, terrible waste of talent.