Bowling in partnerships is a key to success with the ball in Test cricket. It’s no coincidence that Mitchell Johnson was at his ballistic best when operating in tandem with Ryan Harris.
The prodigious skill and ceaseless accuracy boasted by the recently retired Harris made Johnson’s sometimes wayward offerings more potent.
Harris choked the flow of runs to such an extent that batsmen were left to try to score off Johnson.
As a result Johnson earned many wickets of players who were trying to force shots off deliveries which would have been better left alone.
The enduring image of Johnson’s carnage in the 2013-14 season is of rearing bouncers being fended at and then caught.
Yet, in the 5-0 triumph against England at the 2-1 victory in South Africa that followed, he earned as many wickets from loose strokes outside off than directly from short balls.
Operating in partnership with a bowler the quality of Harris is a rare luxury. One of the best pacemen of the modern era, Harris was second only to South African champion Dale Steyn in effectiveness during his career.
Now, Harris is gone and Johnson has been relegated to first change, operating behind rising stars Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Johnson, Hazlewood and Starc have formed Australia’s pace unit for the past six Tests on the trot. During that period, Johnson comprehensively has been outbowled by his colleagues.
He has snared just 18 wickets at an average of 31 in those matches, compared to 28 wickets at 18 for Hazlewood, and 28 wickets at 23 for Starc.
The stats are not misleading either. Johnson has not been able to match Starc for pace or swing, looking innocuous far more often than his fellow left-hander.
Hazlewood, meanwhile, often has shown up Johnson with his superior accuracy, bounce and guile.
It should be said of Johnson that he undoubtedly has matured as a cricketer. Where he once was easily rattled by opposition supporters or his own profligacy, he has appeared to maintain a solid focus this series.
Even with the blade he has shown more gumption than several members of the top six.
This has been an admirable transformation. It is results, not attitude, though, which will determine how much longer he remains in the Australian XI.
His problem right now is that the selectors may soon come to share the opinion of many Australian cricket followers – that he and Starc are not well suited to playing together.
When opposed to feeble batting line-ups like that put forth by the West Indies recently, then Starc and Johnson’s combined firepower outweighs any negatives.
It’s a different story against better sides, as we have seen in this Ashes. Faced with better equipped batting line-ups, building pressure is the most consistent method for taking wickets.
Hazlewood, when fresh, is capable of doing this, as is spinner Nathan Lyon. The issue comes when you have two bowlers in your attack who routinely operate as a release valve.
Many cricket observers, myself included, believe you can afford one such bowler but not two.
Australia’s next massive challenge will come this summer in six Tests home and away against the drastically improved New Zealand.
The dynamic Brendon McCullum aside, New Zealand’s excellent top six are patient and circumspect batsmen.
It was their more cultured approach to batting which saw them prosper where Australia have failed in England and in the UAE against Pakistan.
Trying to blast the Kiwis out may work in the first two Tests in November on the hard, quick decks of the Gabba and the WACA.
But beyond that, at Adelaide for the third Test and on the less responsive surfaces in New Zealand, Australia’s bowling will need to be less focused on brawn and more on accuracy and swing.
It is at this stage that Johnson will need to show a wider variety of skills than he’s displayed during this Ashes.
Starc has proved that he does not need pace in the pitch to be effective. If Johnson cannot do the same he may find that the selectors will not play both him and Starc.
Birdy
Guest
Thank you, Aransan, for linking to the report. I'm sorry, Roarers, but even though I'm a keen follower of county cricket I can't help you out with any background on the Northampton players that cut a swathe through the Aussie team as I literally have never heard of any of them. Northamptonshire are a fairly lowly Division 2 team, and I think they fielded a second XI. Good effort by 'the best team in the world' to battle through via the lower order and scrape a draw, though.
Bearfax
Guest
Tinfoil Hat your point is quite valid. I agree that No 6 should be primarily a batsman. But I think Mitch Marsh is showing enough in recent years that he is primarily a batsman, with a good bowling arm to supplement. Remember he is still only 23 and even Steve Waugh struggled with the bat for quite some time initially as an all rounder before he found his groove. As long as injury doesnt stop his progress, I suspect young Mitch could turn into a very handy batsman/bowler in a year or two. Just needs time to find his groove. We cant expect too much too soon but if you've been watching his first class averages, they have been on the rise for both batting and bowling for a few years now. But I agree he has to get his batting average over 40, if he is to hold No 6 as an all rounder in my opinion. But he deserves a reasonable time in the role before we can expect that.
Lily
Guest
Have to agree!!
Aransan
Guest
From http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2015/content/story/910209.html "The innings entered the realm of parody when Shane Watson planted his front foot and fell lbw to the economical Ben Sanderson for 20 - all that was missing from the usual script was an unsuccessful referral."
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh on Johnson - for the majority of the series he's been a lot more consistent than Starc has. He's been forced to bowl the stock overs because Starc couldn't hit the same place twice. I guess realistically Starc is the more sensible option to keep on with, but still, it's bloody tough on Johnson, who's bowled his heart out in a job he's really not built for.
Bearfax
Guest
Of a similar mind then Andy. My guess as to the next batsman to make the move hopefully this Shield season is Maddinson. Lets wait and see.
Wallaby thrasher
Guest
I didn't see the game. How was Watson dismissed? Was he caught trying to flog one to the boundary?
JimmyB
Guest
You make some valid points. :)
tinfoil hat
Guest
Is not the no. 6 meant to be a genuine bat, not a bowler who bats a bit? Given Australia's poor showing, they desperately need a proper batsmen at 6 as the can't afford to carry yet another mediocre all rounder.
Andy
Guest
I also saw smith, Warner, Hughes and Khawaja as the next best batsman and I tjink khawaj is about to join smith and Warner is also realising his potential
Birdy
Guest
Oh, Don, Don, Don. ............'most Test cricket is a step down from the quality of Shield cricket.' You really are the gift that keeps on giving.
Don Freo
Guest
That's why I said, "...most test cricket ".
matth
Guest
Don, that's a silly comment after the pasting we just received. I bet our players are not sitting around saying "this English series is a doddle compared to playing in the Shield".
Andy
Guest
We mock him but he got more than most Australians have gotten recently.
Andy
Guest
You are joking right?
Andy
Guest
What other teams played 4 quicks with any regularity? Id guess very very few because its a stupid thing to do unless you have 4 guys who can all bowl 90mph and with accuracy. We cant compare the West Indian sides of the 80s to any other team, just as we cant compare the australian team of the late 90s to any other team. Those teams were freaks.
Joel
Roar Rookie
I think that Mitchell Marsh's performance with the ball and then making runs in the tour match should see him back in the team for the last test. Australia definitely missed an extra seamer in the last match that could just hit a tidy line and length and move the ball a bit each way like Marsh can.
dan ced
Guest
Love Sandhu's variation. Cummins I'm not a fan of but his form in the recent tour match means he should be in, in place of either Johnson or Hazelwood. Mitch Marsh should be in for his brother based on batting/bowling form in the same game. Watto and Hads miss out, Voges gets another go coz of his defiant 50 in the last innings in the 4th test.
Don Freo
Guest
Nah...Cummins was headed for a 200 and Fawad a century...time cut them short.
Andy
Guest
Good grief, Australia drew but really they got owned by Norhthamptonshire.