Three months ago Mitchell Johnson’s Test career had a large RIP sign attached to it. Not many observers felt he had anything more to offer a national team that seemed to have passed him by.
He was accused of everything from lack of consistency (a fair criticism) to that peculiarly intangible Australian put down of lacking ‘heart’.
Fast forward to the first week of 2013 and he has been selected in the Australian team as an all-rounder, a vote of confidence and increased responsibility that even in his most positive frames of mind must have seemed far-fetched in October.
In the eyes of the selectors at least, Johnson’s rise from the dead and subsequent redemption as a Test match player is complete.
But to describe Johnson’s comeback as a Lazarus from the dead type story over states Lazarus’ achievement.
Mitchell Johnson’s Test career died, was resurrected, and now has a summer bowling average of 20, a 92 not out and a mint-plated badge from the national selectors that states ‘all-rounder’.
Lazarus, on the other hand, was a one trick pony.
Johnson is a fine cricketer who at this point in time is in very good form with both the bat and the ball.
But up until now his performances have been judged principally on his bowling ability. A considerable ability that has seen him play 47 tests and take 200 wickets, one of only 14 players to do so in the history of Australian cricket.
Batting wise Johnson is the Errol Flynn of the Australian team, the personification of swashbuckling style. Though like the fabled Hollywood actor from Tasmania, his performances had been erratic and inconsistent.
He was initially picked on his devastating bowling form, was subsequently discarded because of a curious loss of it and then brought back because his country needed it.
Batting at 7 as the team’s designated all-rounder changes this dynamic considerably.
For Johnson, gone are the days when taking wickets with the ball and maybe scoring some bonus runs to help jack up Australia’s total would be considered an excellent performance.
He will take on the role made vital by Adam Gilchrist and a position that is now as important as any in the batting line-up of a Test match team. And like Gilchrist, a wicket keeping all-rounder, Johnson will be expected to make runs while maintaining his principle skill; the horror-film scary bowling that so terrified the Sri Lankans in Melbourne.
It will be interesting to see whether his freewheeling batting style remains or whether this new responsibility will naturally curb his predilection for swats to cow corner.
The pressure on his significant ability has increased considerably. It is not so much a significant concern for this match, but could be for series that wait across the Indian Ocean and further onto England.
It’s the second, more complicated coming of Mitchell Johnson. And for the sake of Australia’s near future it is hoped that it will be a successful one.
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
Unless he makes a hundred from number 7 in this innings and then takes a five-for in the next, don't expect to see to much more of this little experiment in the future. He's not in our best 4 pacemen and he's not in our best 7 batsman.
Bakkies
Guest
The way Johnson bowled in that series bar Perth was an insult to amateurs. In Perth he showed what he can do when he pitched it up and swung it rather then banging it on a length sideways towards leg slip
Bee Bee
Guest
I agree with your five selections to take the five fast bowling positions to go to England. However, on current trend one, two and maybe even three of these five will be injured come time for the Ashes. In which case Mitchell Johnson goes from being erratic fringe player to the Rebels only hope to beat the Empire - with OB1 Kinobe whispering in his ear - "The force Mitchell, Use the Force!!" Don't be surprised to see Mitch charging in blind folded.
Mick
Guest
What a certifiable load of rubbish. An insipid Sri Lankan attack and spineless batting line-up does not a proven performer make. Yeah, he was decent in Melbourne, still the most expensive bowler by a way, but what happened yesterday? What happened was what you can expect the majority of the time from Johnson. England must be licking their lips at the prospect of him playing in the Ashes.
The Kebab Connoisseur
Guest
Bowled pretty ordinarily today. All over the place and none for.
simmo green
Guest
No Hilfy, honest, whole hearted, but always occupying a space waiting for the a new generation of bowlers
Disco
Roar Guru
What, so the England side won't remember the Ashes tests they've won with Johnson bowling like an amateur?
Rodney
Guest
Happy for Johnson and hopefully he plays a bug part in the ashes but he shouldn't come in as a all rounder, Khawaja should bat at 6, Wade at 7 and Johnson at 8
Yusuf
Guest
Against the POMS we cannot have Johnson at 7,we need Khawaja at 6, Wade at 7 and 4 specialist bowlers
JamieJ
Guest
Well, he did absolutely blow them away in Perth, before he forgot how to hit the pitch, so I suspect they'll be a tad concerned.. It's only the Barmy Army who'll be happy!
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
No Hilfy?
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
When he's off he's pretty scary too. It's just that it's his own team being scared...
simmo green
Guest
A decent cameo on a compliant deck does not in my view represent 'redemption'. Mitchell Johnson isn't in the frame for the Ashes, with Pattinson, Cummins, Starc, Bird and Siddle all fit and well. He's 31 with his 'best' years behind him
Disco
Roar Guru
Very sensible post. But he'll go to England unless he's not fit.
Disco
Roar Guru
Spearhead? Pah!
suchy
Guest
It would have been nice to see Johnson play against South Africa on a pitch other than the WACA. It would have been nice for him to bat against a full strength Sri Lankan bowling attack. I don't think he's answered any questions here. Everyone knows he bowls well at the WACA, Australia had already passed Sri Lanka's first innings score before he came in to bat so there was no pressure on him to score. If he carries the form from the last game into the next test and then through the Indian series, great, maybe his career has turned the corner and he has learnt from his previous mistakes. If he doesn't perform in India, then he cannot go to England. India and England aren't the places to carry underperformers
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
When he's on, he is one of the scariest bowlers in the world. But, personally, I wouldnt rely on him being on.
The no. Three
Guest
Moreover, will England be scared of Mitch Johnson, um? um?
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Now there is an unrequited bromance in full bloom. (Put your analyst on danger money)
Rhys
Guest
If Johnson is seen by the NSP as a longer term option as designated allrounder, then it would pretty much sign the deathknell in terms of Shane Watson's previous role within the team. There's no room in the team for both. The other question mark hangs over Johnson's capacity to take on the extra responsibility of batting at 7 (or higher), and whether or not that affects his role as attack spearhead. It's a credit to the Illustrated Man that he has redrafted his career, and a plus to Australian cricket, but much, much tougher assignments lie just over the horizon. I won't be 100% convinced of the longevity of Johnson MkII until he has encountered both India and England away. Both fields of battle will go a long way to defining the serviice record of Mitchell Johnson. For both his, and Australian cricket's sake, I hope his confidence at both bowling and batting crease remains steadfast throughout.