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What do you get when you have a returning veteran, a four-Test rookie, an injury-prone all-rounder, a debutant and an honest spinner?
A makeshift but deadly Australian bowling attack that skittled South Africa for 225 in the third Test at the WACA Ground.
A side injury to emerging star James Pattinson and the decision to rest Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus after their mammoth workloads in Adelaide were meant to leave Australia’s bowling attack vulnerable in Perth.
Even South Africa skipper Graeme Smith thought it was “unusual” for Australia to make so many changes in a match that would decide the No.1 Test ranking.
But the massive gamble has paid early dividends for Australia.
Mitchell Johnson, playing his first Test in more than a year, bowled with his usual venom, but also added consistency to his repertoire in finishing with 2-54.
Fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc, playing just his fifth Test, looked dangerous whenever he pitched it up, with the 22-year-old clean bowling Alviro Petersen and Jacques Kallis.
Debutant all-rounder John Hastings toiled hard early without any reward before finding the edge of AB de Villiers to get his first taste of Test joy.
And star all-rounder Shane Watson, making his return from a calf injury, got the ball rolling with the key wicket of Smith for just 16.
The pressure applied by all the bowlers also contributed to the run-out of prolific batsman Hashim Amla, who was found short of his ground by David Warner’s direct hit after attempting an overly ambitious quick single.
South Africa were reeling at 6-75 at one point, before Faf du Plessis (78 not out), Robin Peterson (31) and Vernon Philander (30) showed some fighting spirit.
Enter spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed three wickets late in the day to ensure the Proteas’ resistance didn’t inflict too much damage.
While the selectors would no doubt be pleased with the overall effort of the attack, it’s the successful return of Johnson that would be warming their hearts the most.
Johnson spent more than a year in the Test wilderness due to a serious toe injury and doubts about his mental state while bowling.
But the 31-year-old showed enough positive signs against the Proteas that suggest he could soon return to his blistering best.
In the eventful summer of 2008-09, Johnson broke both of Smith’s hands.
On Friday, Johnson gave Smith another scare when he sent a rising delivery crashing into the batsman’s left glove.
There were no broken bones this time around, but Johnson’s delivery softened up Smith, who soon fell to the bowling of Watson.
A fit and firing Johnson would be perfect for back-to-back Ashes battles with England.
We can only hope.
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