- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Only a year ago, with the rise of young talent James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and the resurgence of veterans Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, it looked as though Mitchell Johnson would never play another Test match for Australia.
But for the last six or eight months, Johnson has worked on his bowling action, fitness and has bowled consistently well for Western Australia in Shield cricket.
His record isn’t spectacular, with an average of 29 so far, but he is bowling far more consistently and accurately than he was a year ago. Johnson has also gotten back his pace, bowling at over 145km and swinging the ball dangerously.
His efforts have resulted in squad selection for the third and final Test match at the WACA against South Africa. Although Mitchell Starc looks most certain to replace the injured James Pattinson, if Siddle and Hilfenhaus don’t recover in time for the Perth test, Johnson could find himself back in the baggy green.
And it wouldn’t be unreasonable to pick him in the XI as his record in Perth and against South Africa is pretty impressive.
He has claimed 35 wickets at his adopted home ground, including 9/82 against England two years and a career-best 11/159 against South Africa four years ago. He has also been able to score runs at the ground, with two half centuries there.
What may concern the selectors is that Johnson has only claimed 13 wickets in his last six Test matches, at an appalling average of 58.
However, not only is Johnson a part of Australia’s fast bowling attack, he also provides a second all-rounder in the team after Watson. Sure his batting is nowhere near as strong as Watson, but he is capable of scoring a quickfire 30, 40 or 50 late in the innings.
In recent times Australia’s tail-enders have been able to provide resistance but they haven’t been able to score at a fast rate (except Pattinson’s 42 off 35 balls in the first innings of the second Test).
When Johnson is on target, he is lethal and probably the best bowler in world cricket. But when he is not in form he is all over the park and can concede runs in clumps.
The good thing for Australia is that he is in good form and not only is a back-up for Siddle and Hilfenhaus but provides a load of experience to the side.
But even if Siddle and Hilfenhaus are only 85% fit for the Test, it seems too big of risk to include Johnson as it is the series decider with the number one ranking on the line. However it would be reasonable and nowhere near surprising if Johnson returns for the Sri Lankan series if Australia are looking to rotate their fast bowlers.
It would give time on the international stage to get back to his best and he could be finding himself in the 2013 Ashes side next year, something he never would of thought could happen last November.
Almost every single person in the Australian public doubts and will criticise Johnson but he can prove those critics wrong, just as Michael Clarke did, by performing.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.