It is surely time for the Australian selectors to erase the name Mitchell Johnson from their minds.
I shook my head in disbelief when Mitchell Johnson was selected in the Australian squad to face England in the upcoming ODI series.
When he was omitted from the Ashes Test squad, it appeared that the selectors had finally moved on from Johnson, a decision that was long overdue. Sadly, it is not the case.
To give credit where credit is due, Johnson on his day is a match winner. When things are going right, he has the ability to bring the ball back into right-handers at very hostile pace.
His “sling” action makes the ball skid off the surface and is often difficult for batsmen to pick up. He showcased his talent in his spell of 6 for 38 against England at the WACA in the 2010/11 Ashes series, a spell which largely contributed to Australia winning that Test match.
However, such performances from Johnson have been few and far between. His international performances, both at Test and in limited overs cricket, have been littered with inconsistency.
When things aren’t happening for Johnson on a particular day, they can go pear shaped very quickly. He tends to bowl both sides of the wicket, making field placements a captain’s nightmare and runs often flow from opposing batsmen quicker than a leaking tap.
The erratic performances have far outweighed the match winning performances. Despite this, Johnson still remarkably appears to be at the forefront of the selectors’ mind when it comes to picking the national side.
In regard to one day cricket, team selection surely needs to be made with the 2015 World Cup firmly in mind. If this is the case, I find it inconceivable to think that Johnson will be in the top echelon of fast bowlers in Australia at that time. What is the point of continuing to pick a player who, despite an overwhelming number of chances, has failed to consistently perform at the international level.
The 2015 World Cup should be the coming of age of talented youthful bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummings, James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile, to mention a few.
It is imperative that these players are playing the bulk of one day matches over the next 18 months leading to the World Cup. The more cricket we get under their belts, the greater are our chances of reclaiming the title of “world’s best” in our own backyard.
This upcoming one day series amounts to nothing more than a revenue raising exercise for the ECB and Cricket Australia. In 18 months’ time, no one will remember, nor care, who won the series.
This is the perfect setting to blood the fast bowlers who will be leading our attack in the next World Cup. Surely, Johnson will not be one of them.
Radelaide
Guest
Sids has heart
Unknown
Guest
Mitch is better than Siddle who just has fittness can disturb batting lineup.
ChrisUK
Guest
At this rate, he's going to be the only fit bowler anyway.
JP
Guest
Lol, look what he's doing now...... he's carving them up!!! onya johnny, i knew you had it in you!!!
art pagonis
Guest
Bad call Grant. Never say never when it comes to Australian cricketers. Johnson, like most young sportspeople, suffers from some insecurity and over coaching. He needs to develop his OWN path. Whether he gets better with the bat or the ball or in the field is his own responsibility. And judging by his efforts in the 20-20 and ODI games v the Poms, he is in a good place....and will challenge for a spot in all 3 forms of the game.
Brewster
Guest
I just saw the match and Johnson was fantastic! Agree with others that G Lawler doesn't know what he is talking about and should be showed the door.
BargeArse
Guest
It all went wrong when he strarted getting his bogan stamps...
Radelaide
Guest
If only every pitch could be fast and bouncy like the WACA.
Spooky
Guest
Love Mitch Johnson, exciting bowler, always looks a chance of getting a wicket. Good chance for the test team soon
ChrisB
Guest
So hookin, you'd say all World Cup wins have not been real cricket, or games v the windies in the 70s and 80s. Did Steve Waugh and co think that epic semi in 99 v saffas wasn't real? Any of Bevan, Gilly or Richards great innings? Hookesy getting his jaw smashed by andy Roberts? "Not real cricket" what Pretentious drivel
matt h
Guest
1. He's a good one-day bowler. 2. He's never injured 3. He is very different to Clint McKay and makes it hard for batsmen to get in a rythm 4. Every now and then he can bat 5. He is a brilliant fielder. Don't send him out for a test match though
Dill Maguire
Guest
Consistent injuries to quick bowlers will soon require a re-think of team selections. Regular rests for quicks will mean Australia's fast bowling depth can be a big advantage. Mitch Johnson is still a world class bowler with a role to play for the national team.
TheGenuineTailender
Guest
Not so sure about Marsh, but Mitch Starc is a limited overs gun. We ought to consider four quicks more often or even have Faulkner sitting out.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Johnson and Clint McKay have been our best ODI bowlers in the last couple of years. Especially McKay who has done well very quietly. So with those two and Faulkner as three pace men and Mitch Marsh down the road if he shows some consistency, that's a pretty decent ODI bowling line up
Jermayn
Guest
Agree.... writer obviously does not follow the game, there was an article the other day talking about how good his stats are. Seriously think the Roar should have more editorial restriction over poor articles like this.
Sam
Guest
Josh Hazlewood! Are you mad? The kid is a joke, more eradtic then Mitch. I saw him play a domestic ODI and bowl 4 down the leg side in one over. Again another anointed NSW chosen one who doens't have to earn his spot
jonty23
Guest
Nothing wrong with Mitch Johnson in the ODI squad! The selectors barring injury have moved on from him in test match cricket,but in ODI he is one of the established men in the side,A combination of left arm wicket taking pace,quality in the field and more than handy with the bat. Few games left in Mitch yet.
Hookin' YT
Guest
I'll have a stab. Because we don't want to burn out or injure our bowlers involved in the real cricket.
Foot
Guest
Based on this article I'm thinking The Roar should erase G Lawler
ChrisB
Guest
Because he's an excellent ODI bowler, if you care to take the format seriously (I do) Because its increasingly clear that most of that young group you mentioned , and Roar favourite Bird, have been somewhat flattered by over friendly pitches and the parlous state of Aus batting. Some of this group will prove excellent no doubt, but are not there yet Because on his day he can be incredibly dangerous, and bowlers with unusual method can thrive in this format when on song, see Malinga Because he's a wicket taker, even though height leak runs sometimes I think Johnsons mental fragility is one of the great tragedies of modern cricket, his bowling in 09 was the most dangerous from an Aussie fast bowler since the 70s IMHO. I'd love to have seen what some of the whinging clowns on here would have made of Thommo's sometimes erratic performances. I suspect he would have got flamed as it seems, one or two favourites aside, if your not excellent almost every match, then you're crap