In a recent interview, Australian coach Darren Lehmann declared that ‘Mitchell Johnson’s bowling is the most dangerous he has seen.’
A statement that usually would be laughed off as bias, but after seeing the carnage that Johnson has wreaked, one has to at least consider it.
The left-arm quick has rediscovered his lethal past by keeping two objectives in mind: either hit the wicket or hit the batsman. Striving for finesse, as seen in his ability to swing to swing the ball, is secondary to a relentless blitzkrieg mentality
His pace, lefthanded release and slinging action already ensured his membership in the nasty fast bowlers club was secure. Reborn into a perfect setting with the current Aussie team having a high calibre attack that is highlighted by a nigh on perfect defensive aptitude. The other three offer the ideal support for Johnson to attack with no confines to his assaults.
If not for helmets and other space age protection it would not have surprised to see the last rites given to an unlucky batsman during Johnson’s present rampage.
This blood curdling realisation compels one to rank him among the other noted terrors.
Here are a few to ponder:
Jeff Thomson (Australia)
Arguably the fastest bowler ever, with a slinging action that ensured unpredictability with the ability to make a ball rear violently of a length. Throw in his homicidal mindset and he was the epitome of a widow maker.
Andy Roberts (West Indies)
Roberts ‘cold blooded killer’ eyes already gave batsmen the chills, and that was before one faced up to his deadly combination of awkwardness and bowling smarts. He was a bit like a cat stalking a mouse, always setting a batsman up, and then laying them out.
John Snow (England)
This maniacal quick was the epitome of unhinged. His unpredictability always had one on the edge, with any batsman knowing there was not a line in the sand that Snow would not defiantly cross.
Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)
Such was this magnificent bowler’s threat that the ridiculous bouncer law was in response to the carnage that Marshall’s bumper was causing, especially how lethal it was when he bowled it from around the wicket.
Shoaib Ahktar (Pakistan)
The aptly named Rawalpindi Express is the only bowler to be clocked at over 100 mph. His sheer pace intimidated all, but he also had the quality of all the dangerous bowlers; his sincere unpredictability.
Just ask Gary Kirsten about the threat of his bouncer….
Patrick Patterson (West Indies)
This virtual Adonis gave batsmen the willies by his sheer physique.
Factor in his frightening pace and malevolent demeanour and one was forgiven for fearing for their very life.
Bob Willis (England)
This softly spoken, almost retiring character off the field had a real white line fever on it. That came out in his nastiness once you saw his hatred for batsmen that fuelled his desire to maim.
He was a master of the softener, the rib tickler that was the prelude to your demise. If one survived, he often rearranged your facial features with his brutal bouncer
Other notables:
Wes Hall, Michael Holding, Roy Gilchrist, Harold Larwood, Brett Schultz, Curtly Ambrose, Sylvester Clarke
cf76blows
Guest
Ask David Hookes ... just how do you propose I do that?
Johnny Ringo
Guest
Harold Larwood made one bail travel a distance of 67 yards and six inches. Now imagine that coming at your throat. Without a helmet.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
There is just something about a ball bouncing up at your rib-cage or above that just sets the self-preservation instincts to racing.
pope paul v11
Guest
me too
pope paul v11
Guest
His stats were not outrageous but his reputed speed was not in question. They should have played Eddie in the bodyline series but the Australian public would have been more outraged than the English. I also think he is credited with hitting the gabba sightscreen on one bounce.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
LOL! Yes that prediction is looking a 'pearl of wisdom'.....
Gooner
Guest
Still predicting a 4-0 series loss for the Aussies Tim?
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
"Fast" Eddie Gilbert anyone? Whilst he didn't play Test cricket for Australia he could reportedly bowl over 160km/h with a slinging action. He also apparently knocked the bat out of Bradman's hands during a Shield match between NSW and QLD.
AlanKC
Guest
Do you recall the one dayer when Dean Jones had the umpires remove Curtley's sweat band from his right arm? I think, if I'd been on the team and had any say, Deano's career might have been over that night.
AlanKC
Guest
That inate sense of self preservation generally kicks in just in time - me, I'd start out beside the square leg umpire and probably move a little further away.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
I think my favourite hit of Roberts was on a 18 year old Ian Botham in the B&H Cup quarter final in 74....I loved it so much, for he floored Botham, drew blood from the young tyro. But he got up, and played a defining knock to win the match- real guts!
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Lol Hoppy! You should know that ppl who write are all 'Mondays Experts', myself included :)
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Malcolm Marshall was an absolute legend. My second favourite bowler of all time, having a deathly guile that made him horrendously lethal to a batsman's physical well-being or equally his wicket. Wasim and Kurtly were also fantastic to watch, and capable of either brutalising or out-thinking batsmen out at their peak.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Does anyone remember when Ratnayake sconed Richardson, Richards and Gomes in a one dayer here? They were spitting chips, and possibly teeth in Gomes case, making accusations of chucking.
Hoppy
Guest
Hey Tim, Do you still think Mitchell shouldn't have been picked in the Ashes? I remember you wrote an article a couple of months ago saying that choosing him would be disastrous for Australia.
TGGOA
Guest
King Curtly was scary, champion bowler.
Fivehole
Guest
No favourites from Bangladesh? I'm shocked!
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would rate Holding, Larwood and Ambrose above most on your list for intimidation. I mean Larwood cause an international incident.
vocans
Guest
Spot on with Thommo. I'd add Charlie Griffiths, and my father used to say Tyson was it, and he'd seen both Lindwall and Larwood, who definitely belong on the list. Bodyline gets you there surely. On his day, Rod Hogg.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
It seems churlish, but Zaheer Khan's presence on that list feels like an indictment on Indian pace development.