Ashes 2013-14: Mitchell Johnson has come a long way

Mitchell Johnson

“He bowls to the left

He bowls to the right

That Mitchell Johnson

His bowling is s***e”

These were the words sung in unison by the Barmy Army as Mitchell Johnson walked into bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the last Ashes series Down Under (2010/11). Johnson could have been easily fooled into believing that he was playing in the UK, such was the extent to which the fans got stuck into him. He had been smashed all over the park earlier in the game, and had returned with figures of 36-5-168-4. To compound his miseries, he was bowled for a golden duck and walked back to a huge roar from the large English contingent of the crowd. His critics were gunning for his head due to lack of consistency. His career had hit rock bottom. All of a sudden, the world had become a very cruel place to live in.

Fast forward to IPL 2013, Mitchell Johnson was reborn. The trademark swing into the right hander had resurfaced and he bowled fast, sending down thunderbolts at the batsmen. Obviously, playing for Mumbai Indians along with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting would have been a massive help. It looked as if his shaky career had been given a new lease of life. He played a huge role in the Mumbai Indians’ title triumph and was the third highest wicket taker in the tournament.

However, that wasn’t enough to get him on the plane to the UK for the Ashes series earlier this year. It was a big setback but that was not going to keep him down. He kept knocking on the selectors’ door with impressive performances on the ODI tours of England, and then India. His remarkable performances on the tour of India earned him a recall into the Test squad for the return Ashes.

Troubling Indian batsmen on flat subcontinent tracks is a feat which not many fast bowlers around the world can claim to have achieved. But then, Mitchell Johnson is no ordinary fast bowler. His talent was spotted and nurtured by the great man Dennis Lillee himself. He had been destined for greatness. Many fast bowlers would die for the talent he possesses. The slinging round arm action, the pace he generates and the awkward angle created by a left arm bowler have been a difficult proposition for batsmen to deal with. There have never been any doubts about his ability.

However, the problem with Mitchell Johnson has always been in the mind. In the past, his anxieties and insecurities have exceeded his capabilities and got the better of him. He has faltered many a time on the big stage. There were fears that all the pre-Ashes hype would get to him and affect his performances. He recently admitted to seeing a psychiatrist to block out the taunts from the English fans. Was he going to do justice to his enormous potential this time? Was he going to deliver in the first Test at the Gabba?

Australia made a total of 295 in the first innings which was below par on what looked like a good Gabba pitch. The responsibility was now on the bowlers to keep the hosts in the game. Johnson’s first spell was erratic. He sprayed the ball all over the pitch. It looked like the fears would come true, the old demons have come back to haunt him. He would again crumble under the weight of expectations. But then, the 1^st English wicket fell. Alastair Cook was nicked off by Ryan Harris. Out came Jonathan Trott, the man whom Johnson had given a torrid time in the ODI’s in UK. Johnson smelt blood.

What followed was reminiscent of the great West Indian fast bowlers. There was a barrage of short pitch stuff aimed at the badge. The batsmen were hopping around, ducking for cover. There were bruises on their bodies; their front foot was frozen on the crease almost too scared to move forward. It looked as if the Englishmen were batting with walking sticks in their hands hardly able to connect with the ball. He instilled fear with speeds touching 150 kmph and literally ran through the English batting order, taming them into submission.

The script repeated in the second innings as well, and Australia have gone 1-0 up in the 5 match series. Johnson has match figures of 9-103 and has been declared Man of the Match for his fiery bowling. The manner in which England have tamely surrendered to the pace of Johnson will be a huge concern for them. They will have nightmares of this game for days to come and it remains to be seen how they counter Johnson in the remaining games, especially at Perth which is considered to be the quickest pitch in the world.

For now, it has been a sweet revenge for Johnson who is neither bowling to the left, nor to the right. He is bowling straight at their bodies with all his might.