Statistical comparison - ODIs: Dale Steyn vs Mitchell Johnson

Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson

With the much anticipated bilateral ODI series involving Australia and South Africa about to get rolling from Friday as part of the World Cup preparations, two of the leading fast bowlers in world cricket will face off against each other on the fastest pitch on planet Earth – the WACA, Perth.

It is without a doubt that these two can single-handedly win games with their pace and swing even on unfamiliar conditions, using the minimal assistance available to their fullest advantage. For comparisons, the first and foremost difference between these two is the fact that Mitchell Johnson is left-handed.

They also have their own specialist strategies to dismiss a batsman. While Johnson is largely a hit-the-deck, back-of-a-length type bowler, Dale Steyn is a specialist in in-swingers and equally good at out going deliveries. The common thing is the fact that both have an intimidating bouncer coupled with the ability to reverse the ball which makes them a complete package. The duo are thinking bowlers and are masters in setting the batsman up for a dismissal.

Overall numbers

Johnson having represented Australia in 142 one-day internationals clearly wins the battle with 128 wickets. The Protean on the other hand has 138 scalps to his name from 89 appearances. Both average 25 runs per dismissal and concede at almost identical economy rates with Steyn being marginally better in both categories.

Even a strike rate of 31.8 and 31.9 doesn’t make much of a difference.

	Matches	Innings	Wickets	Average	Economy	Strike Rate	BBI	5W	4W
Steyn	89	88	138	25.52	4.80	31.8	6/39	3	4
Johnson	142	139	218	25.68	4.82	31.9	6/31	3	8

Records and milestones

Steyn has been named in the ICC World ODI team of the year twice against Johnson’s one.

Notably, Johnson took only 30 & 65 matches to reach 50 & 100 ODI dismissals whereas Steyn managed to achieve the feat in his 33rd and 72nd matches respectively.

Bowling action (slow-motion)

Recent Performances

Many argue that Johnson has recently gained an upperhand over Steyn as the leading pace bowler in the world. However, their records over the last 12 months in this format sees Steyn way over the left-arm bowler.

Since 13 November 2013, Steyn has bagged 30 wickets from 14 matches at a remarkable average of 16.70. During the same period, Johnson has only managed 11 wickets from 8 matches in at an average of 31.54.

	Matches	Innings	Wickets	Average	Ecnonmy	Strike Rate	BBI	5W
Steyn	14	14	30	16.70	4.45	22.5	6/39	1
Johnson	8	8	11	31.54	4.83	39.1	3/24	0

Numbers at W.A.C.A

At Perth, the Aussie has picked up 11 wickets from 9 matches with a best effort of 3/18. To ruin our mission of reaching a conclusion on which of these two is more effective on the best surface for pace bowling, Steyn has never been part of an ODI side here and will be playing his first ODI at the WACA.

In Test matches, Johnson has bagged 42 wickets from 6 matches at an average of 20.19. Steyn, in his 2 outings, has 11 dismissals at 24.90.

*Stats updated till 13 November 2014