Latest Ashes update– Mitchell Johnson’s place in the team in doubt?
Well, the media and the fans are busy writing an obituary for Australian left-arm medium pacer Mitchell Johnson even as the Aussie lad is busy preparing for the third Test at Edgbaston.
Johnson has been struggling with just 8 wickets for 331 runs in the opening two Tests in the ongoing Ashes, and it got no better with match figures of 1-107 off 18.1 overs in the tour match against Northamptonshire.
Pundits and cricket followers chorused that it was time to find someone else to share the new ball with the Australians already 1-0 down in the best-of-five Test series.
The Australian said Johnson “was by far the worst” of Australia’s bowlers in the three-day match at Northampton, which the tourists won by 135 runs. Fellow paceman Stuart Clark impressed to boost his chances of a recall. If this was not enough, Sydney Morning Herald’s cricket writer Peter Roebuck had something more nasty to pen down. “It’s hard to justify Johnson’s inclusion in a four-pronged attack. Australia cannot afford to carry a pace bowler on a wing and a prayer. Johnson has had a bad tour. He’s been in England for months. His action has gone to pot and his confidence is in his boots. Perhaps too much was expected,” Roebuck wrote.
Most of the Australian newspapers wanted Stuart Clark to replace Johnson for the third Test. “When batsmen are out of form they get dropped. So should bowlers. Being 1-0 down we need five fit and in-form bowlers to win a Test,” a die-hard Aussie fan crooned.
On his part Stuart Clark had stated that he was surprised at not getting the nod at either Cardiff or at Lord’s. On the reason why he needs to be in the side, Clarke said, ” I’m older and I get the ball to bounce a little bit more (than the other Australia bowlers), being a little bit taller. “That’s probably my biggest weapon on these wickets. It can make you a handful.”
There had been speculation that Clark might have been included in the drawn Ashes opener at Cardiff, where Johnson’s poor spell with the new ball late on the final day helped England cling on for a draw with one wicket standing.
“I was disappointed and I suppose surprised,” Clark said of being omitted at in Cardiff. Will Ricky Ponting pick Clarke in place of Johnson? Well, we will have to wait till July 30 for the answer to be in place.
But one thing is certain, the Australian team will surely be losing sleep over this issue. Watch out this space for more!
