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.
Lolly
Guest
He's bowled better than Starc against the real batsmen though that's not saying much. Both Hastings and Starc have looked out of their depth, but in his favour, Starc has toys that Hastings hasn't got. Koo needs more experience and possibly a bit more fire in his belly as well, so I hope they give him more test matches even if he isn't really doing it yet.
Cameron
Roar Guru
hey rabbitz, second most wickets for Aussies in this match, versing best team in world currently and the whole Aussie bowing team got snacked around. Not bad for a 31 year old hey? Oh did we mention 164/6 @ average of 27.33. Having bowled pretty much a max 2 out of three days in hot conditions. Nice thoughts though.
Steele
Guest
I think the selectors needed to take the punt on Johnson after pattinson went down. The attack of siddle and hilfy lacks venom. Beating up on India does not indicate a form resurgence! Don't forget the drubbings they have had from the poms. Id Pick Johnson in a horses for courses selection, then bird and probably siddle and an allrounder.
Brendon
Guest
Doubt the South African batsmen fear Johnson like they used to. They'll be pretty confident of playing against him even if it is in Perth. If Johnson is a colossal failure then he could be dropped from all Australian teams and we could lose a good ODI bowler.
cos1
Guest
starc would have to be first pick. johnson would be the next one to come in for siddle, hilfy or 'gary' lyon. there has been a lot of press about him and arthur has put in good words, so we may assume he is the favourite at the moment for that second position. could be wrong though. i think a bigger worry - that isnt talked about often enough - is hilfenhause. he's been down on pace and seems to lack penetration (albeit unlucky having Faf dropped). i thought the fact that they continued with siddle when he could hardly stand in that last over betrayed a bit of a lack of faith in hilfenhause - although, granted, he wouldnt have had much in the tank either. we are playing the saffas and not india - players who grew up on a diet of quick pitches and play the cut and pull well. so there is a giant risk in blooding young raw quicks there, as someone suggested earlier. johnson is definitely a risky selection for different reasons. but if you were going to bring him back any time and against any opposition, it would be at perth, and against the saffas - who he has one over. yes we are coming up against the no. 1 team, but a draw is not good enough - to get back the no 1 ranking, we need to win. johnson is a wicket taker who when he is off boil gets carted, so in this case i think it would be a calculated gamble. i personally think they should roll the dice on him, because without patterson, i dont see any certainty of us taking 20 wickets. but they should tell him its his very last opportunity.
Brendon
Guest
If that is true seems like the idiotic selection process that denied Chris Rogers and Brad Hodge from the Australian team is being continued. Though Khawaja's form doesn't warrant selection.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
picking Johnson is a gamble. He is either going to take 5/60 or 0/140. Not sure this is the type of game you want to gamble on a bowler...
Disco
Roar Guru
Well, I think Starc is a better bowler. Bollinger is too, actually - always has been.
Disco
Roar Guru
Arthur and Inverarity don't inspire any confidence whatsoever.
Mango Jack
Guest
Despite their heroics, our current attack couldn't bowl out SA, in nearly 5 sessions. We need something more. Sure, it's a risk, but Johnson has proven capability to rip through a strong batting lineup, esp in Perth. Worth it, I reckon.
Mango Jack
Guest
experience has to count for something, james. The others are potential test bowlers, but would you blood them in a series decider against the #1 team?
boes
Roar Pro
He can take the game away from a team in a session, its just more often than not its his own team.
Rhys
Guest
Mitch can give Clarke some tatt tips. Surely that's reason enough to have him back.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Bird away from Hobart doesn't surprise me. He's been consistently been taking wickets. Butterworth exploits do creep up on you a little bit. I can't imagine Australia ever trotting out Butterworth. Mitchell Johnson is lucky to be given another opportunity. But can you really be surprised that he's been picked? His record in Perth is incredible. 4 test he's taken 30 odd wickets. He's back bowling consistently in the 140's and by all accounts is swinging the ball again. Yes Jackson Bird is unlucky and would be nice to see a guy like that be rewarded....But are we really surprised about Johnson being picked? He's clearly not going be in our best line up long term but you remember they are trying to take back number 1 now! It would be too much to exposure a Bird at this stage.
Matt F
Roar Guru
He hasn't played that poorly either to be fair. He's been getting starts but hasn't gone on with them. He's the type of player who can hit top form at any time so he's always a concern. Certainly a few wayward deliveries from Mitch can play any batsman into form
Red Kev
Guest
He may not have the score yet, but batting for 220 balls is going to have got him seeing the ball pretty well in my opinion.
James
Guest
Does it change your view if you look at the figures and see that away from Hobart that over the last 2 seasons Bird has taken 38 wickets at 19 and Butterworth 27 at 19.8?
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Is the Pope a Catholic?
Matt F
Roar Guru
I wouldn't say that De Villiers is in good form but your general point is very true. If he's back to the MJ of recent times then we're in deep trouble
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Johnson did get to bowl on that minefield, and despite taking four wickets, went for 103 runs. In the same match, the far more deserving Jackson Bird took 6-25. Tell me please how that makes Johnson a logical choice?