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Let’s get something straight. The Australian cricket team has not won six of its past seven Test matches, Mitchell Johnson has.
As we know, since his recall for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, Mitch Johnson has been a one-man wrecking ball of the likes rarely seen at Test level, if ever.
While his complete dominance has been lauded by all as a key factor in the Australian revival, we must now accept it has almost been the sole reason.
Obviously other players have contributed along the way, importantly so at times, but even they have only been afforded the luxury of doing so with their side at an advantage.
Brad Haddin is the only player about whom this would be doing a disservice, as his batting in dire situations has been truly masterful.
At Port Elizabeth last week, for the first time since his return, Mitch was subdued, and unable to have the impact of his previous six Test matches.
Let’s not forget, Mitch was nowhere to be seen during the 3-0 series loss in England, and was only part of one match during the 4-0 drubbing in India, and was completely ineffectual at that.
In the current set-up, when playing against what should be comparable opposition, the equation is simple – no impact from Mitch equals no Test victory for Australia.
Ironically enough, Johnson kick-started his sterling summer with the bat in Brisbane, his 64 runs in a partnership of 114 with Haddin turning the match from England’s way to Australia’s.
He was then able to follow up with the ball, either roughing up the opposition batsmen or getting them out, often both.
It wasn’t the Australian side that sent Jonathan Trottback to England, a slave to mental anguish and tormented by inner demons, it was Mitch Johnson.
Trott was obviously not in ‘a good head space’ going into the series, but the physical assault from Mitch, followed by the mental assault from the Aussie fieldsmen, emboldened by Johnson’s ferocity and match-winning exploits, was too much for him to bear.
Australia might still have won the first Test without Mitch Johnson, but it’s hard to imagine the psychological damage would have been seared into the England line-up the way it was.
What may have been festering sores became gaping wounds once he destroyed them with 7/40 in the first innings in Adelaide, on his way to collecting a second consecutive man of the match award.
Next up was Perth, where Johnson was bringing an imposing record to the venue, having taken 36 opposition wickets at a tick under 20, and terrorised many more of them besides.
By now the die was cast, and there wasn’t a cricket follower in the world who thought England could win that match or salvage the series.
So it was in theory and so it was in fact, albeit with the entire bowling team sharing the load, allowed to enjoy the spoils of the now Mitchified batting order.
Melbourne was next, accompanied by another man of the match award, and by Sydney, my wife and I could have bowled England out such was the rabble they were.
The series win was sparked by Mitch, shaped by Mitch, and dominated by Mitch. He set the tone of terror, continued the calamity, and fractured the England psyche to fragility.
The first Test in South Africa was more of the same.
Yes, Shaun Marsh was able to pull out the innings of his life, which he seems to do once every few years in between his many failures. But batsmen don’t win you games, bowlers do, and Johnson once again produced the most thrilling display imaginable in tearing the game apart.
South Africa are made of sterner stuff than England though, and were able to subdue the influence of Mitch.
After 49 wickets through the first six Tests of the summer, he was held to a mere three at Port Elizabeth, half of his worst result prior. Under no circumstances a coincidence, Australia were pummelled.
Cricket is a team game, but one of the most individual there is. Of course it is 11 on 11 overall, but at the moment of truth it is very much a one-on-one game.
I understand that saying Mitch Johnson has been the sole reason for Australia’s dominance is somewhat hyperbolic, but the overall point is sound.
Of course, Chris Rogers, Steve Smith and others have made valuable runs from time to time, but the overall frailties of the Australian batting line-up have been obfuscated by Mitch’s powerhouse performances.
Only two batsmen in any given innings tend to perform above average and score significantly. Seldom have they gelled as a unit.
Ryan Harris is a world class bowler as tough as they come and Peter Siddle is a canny and tireless workhorse that has struggled for bags of wickets throughout the summer, but has often provided the important breakthrough. At times, both have appeared to lack a little rhythm when bowling in Johnson’s shadow.
Nathan Lyon is the perfect off-spin bowler for a dominant fast men attack. Sure, he’ll take 5/130 from time to time when no-one else can get wickets, and is capable of control enough to capitalise on batsmen who target him as the weak link, but there is a reason he’s struggled to win matches on the last day or take second innings wickets.
The current Australian cricket team, for all of the positives gained over the last six months, is yet to prove it can win when unable to rely on Mitch the Magnificent and the fall-out that ensues from his brilliance.
The third and deciding Test against South Africa starts on Saturday. If Johnson doesn’t fire, it’s highly doubtful Australia can win. If he does, they will.
That’s what is in front of us.