In the two Tests so far, on the pitch it’s been all about the batsmen. Therefore it takes a special bowler to seize the headlines – step forward, Mitchell Johnson! It’s a shame, however, that it was to announce his immediate retirement from international cricket.
I hadn’t realised he was already 34, maybe because of his stop-start career and continuing success in the Baggy Green. 73 Tests aren’t many these days, yet he still managed to capture 313 wickets at 28.4 apiece. His strike rate of only 51 is even more world-class but what Johnson brought to the game was not a welter of impressive stats but charisma.
There was also Mitch’s old left-arm slinger action to set him apart. To dismiss the old tag of wayward paceman, he remodelled it to something more conventional and, complete with Lillee-esque moustache, proceeded to destroy opposition batsmen with undimmed enthusiasm. His demolition of England a few winters ago was absolutely electric. However, it’s interesting to read on ESPN Cricinfo readers’ examples of his greatest hits. It wasn’t just about Brisbane and Adelaide in 2013; there were bursts at Centurion, in India; everywhere, really.
He even signed off with a creditable 2-20 in the final innings, ripping out the New Zealand openers. The pace may have been down a touch on his regular 90+mph boomers of a few seasons ago but, with fellow Mitchell, Starc, breaking the official world record delivery speed, Australia should continue to boast a formidable fast bowling attack at Adelaide and beyond.
In England, Johnson was always a figure of fun, a target for the Barmy Army. That was partly because he would rise to the bait very quickly. On the other hand, he could play along with humour, especially when returning to the boundary having taken a wicket or two! He was also generous to thirsty cricket fans in the stands on a sweltering day, chucking them his supply of cold drinks! We’ll all miss him.
As for the ongoing series, the run rate in both matches played to date have been amongst the top ten in Test history, boundaries flowing faster than the Foster’s. David Warner’s three consecutive centuries, including that 253 at the WACA, were incredible, taking his average above 51. Not bad for a former T20 specialist! And yet Ross Taylor went and trumped him with 290, which I think is the highest Test score ever made by an overseas player in Australia. With the ever-impressive Kane Williamson at the other end, it was also vital to maintain the Black Caps’ interest in the series after their capitulation at Fortress Gabba.
As for the finale, will Trent Boult and Tim Southee finally strike lucky? Boult, in particular, has suffered, with figures of 6-388, and he’s better than that. However, all the Aussie batsmen have looked strong, from Burns and Warner to Smith, Khawaja and Voges. While it’s great for audiences used to Big Bashes to wallow in a Test full of fours, I hope it’s more of an even contest between bat and ball at Adelaide. It’s just sad that it will no longer be Mitchell Johnson with the ball.
