Johnson smashes through commentary box

Mitchell Johnson made an unceremonious entry into the commentary box on Monday in Harare that had social media buzzing.

Only it was through the glass rather than from behind the microphone that his impact was felt.

And the most destructive man in world cricket was making no apology.

Johnson announced he was back on the scene from his break in emphatic style against Zimbabwe, middling a flat straight drive down the ground that cannoned into the SuperSport commentary box and sent callers flying.

Zimbabwe’s attack had already been pounded by the explosive knocks of Glenn Maxwell (93 off 46) and Mitchell Marsh (89 off 83) when Johnson (20 not out off 10) came to the crease in the final overs to put the final touches on a ground record 6-350 total.

Pommie Mbangwa, a former Zimbabwe fast bowler turned commentator, had every right to think he was safe after being 10 years retired, but he was left brushing off glass after Johnson’s clean strike.

Johnson terrorised South African and English batsmen with the ball last summer, but proved on Monday he was as much a threat to human life with a blade in his hands.

“I enjoyed it,” said a grinning Johnson following Australia’s commanding 198-run win.

“I was very happy with that shot so I’m not going to apologise. Hopefully it didn’t hurt anyone.

“I thought it was going to hit. I didn’t see it shatter but I just saw some of the commentators brushing away a bit of glass. Good thing … the ball didn’t go through.”

The glass on the Harare Sports Club media area is reinforced, but a booming strike from West Indian powerhouse Chris Gayle a couple of years ago on the same pane of glass left the window ripe for a smashing.

And Johnson didn’t miss.

“Beautifully struck … and oh it’s hit the commentary box,” was the description of commentator Neil Manthorp.

“There’s glass all over the place.

“Dear me, oh!”

Johnson was also deadly with the white ball in hand during the second innings.

In a worry for Hashim Amla and the South Africans who the Australians will aim up against in the next tri-series clash on Wednesday, Johnson defied the slow conditions to land a vicious blow to the helmet of Zimbabwean captain Elton Chigumbura.