Mitchell Johnson holds the key to Australia’s Ashes chances after his stunning career resurrection led the home side to a drought-breaking first Test victory over England in Brisbane.
Australia took a commanding 1-0 lead after closing out an emphatic 381-run win by bowling England out for 179 late on day four at the Gabba.
The second Test in Adelaide is set to be a spiteful affair, with Australian captain Michael Clarke getting into James Anderson’s face right before the final wicket fell, telling the England fast bowler, “Get ready for a f***ing broken arm” as he prepared to face Johnson.
Spinner Nathan Lyon came into his own on Sunday and Johnson (5-42) capped off his stunning Test return to instigate another England collapse of 4-9 within 21 balls – following a 90-minute rain delay – to bring the Ashes-holders to their knees.
After a tumultuous year on and off the field where they sacked a coach and went nine consecutive Tests without a win, Australia’s performance was a flashback to the glory years.
The series is a long way from over, but only twice before has a side won the first Test in Brisbane and not gone on to claim the Ashes.
After Johnson and the Australians decimated England with 6-9 in the first innings, it was deja vu in the final session on day four.
Second innings centurions David Warner and Michael Clarke will be considered, but Johnson has presented an overwhelming case to be named man-of-the-match in one of Australian cricket’s most important victories.
His 64 and 39 not out with the bat and nine wickets marked one of the best allround performances in Test history.
Much-maligned offspinner Lyon also turned a corner in Brisbane, snaring Alastair Cook and Matt Prior in quick succession on Sunday.
He will now get to sing the team song for the first time.
Australia head to the second Test in Adelaide with their tails up, while England contemplate concerning form lapses from key men Jonathan Trott, Prior and Graeme Swann.
Set a mammoth 561 to win, England opener Cook (65 off 195) played a fighting captain’s knock.
A vicious hailstorm and then another rain interruption with England 8-160, threatened to push the match into a fifth day, before Harris and Johnson finished it off.
Australia in 1954-55 and England in ’36-37 are the only sides ever to win a first Test in Brisbane and not go on to claim the Ashes.
After losing 4-0 in India and 3-0 in England, Australia have ended their longest winless streak since 1986.
Going on to victory exorcised Australia’s demons from Manchester in August when rain saved England on day five, and put to bed memories from the second Test against South Africa last year when Lyon failed to stop the Proteas batting out an entire day to save a match.
To have rocked to such a comfortable win required an incredible turnaround from Australia after they had collapsed to 6-132 on day one to give Broad and England the inside running.
Man-of-the-match Johnson said the team were on a high.
“It was unbelievable out there tonight. I’m lost for words at the moment,” he said.
“We’ve gone in and sung the team song and it’s an amazing feeling to sing that song. It’s been a while for us and to be in front of big Brisbane crowd – the supporters were outstanding and all the boys performed well.”
Captain Clarke said the job was far from over.
“It’s only one game. There’s a lot of work to do to accomplish what we’re trying to accomplish in this series,” he said.
“We should enjoy tonight but we’ve got time at home to make sure we’re as well prepared as we need to be.
“It’s a fantastic start, fantastic individual performances, no better than Mitchell Johnson.”
England skipper Cook said the tourists would fight.
“Without a doubt, this side has plenty of character and we’ve fought back before,” he said.
“It’s going to hurt us. It’s obviously been a tough couple of days for us. Credit to the way Haddin and Johnson played.
“We collapsed and it put us behind the eight ball.”
Stars of the Gabba Test
David Warner 49, 124 runs
Michael Clarke 113 runs
Brad Haddin 94, 53 runs (and claimed 200th Test dismissal)
Mitchell Johnson 4-61, 5-42 and 64, 39 not out – 9/103 in total.
A sight for sore eyes!! pic.twitter.com/YBjcVNriTw
— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) November 24, 2013
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