Mitchell Johnson: Mitchell Starc really committed to working hard
Johnson: Starc really committed to working hard
Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson was at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground in Perth on Wednesday, just 50 days prior to the opening Tests for Australia versus South Africa, as they Kangaroos kick their cricketing summer Down Under. However, this time around, the South Africans would be relaxed, as compared to their previous tour of Australia, with Johnson not in the side, as they have been more or less saved from his deadly swing and pace, along with the breeze, that helped him around with the ball on the pitch. Nevertheless, the trouble for the Proteas batsmen could have just doubled, as Mitchell Starc‘s current form is no less than the similar danger once possessed by Johnson. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs South Africa, 1st Test at Perth
Johnson announced his retirement from international cricket last season, with 313 scalps in Tests cricket. However, following his retirement, things have hardly changed for Australia, as the transition has indeed turned out to be a smooth one for the Kangaroos. Most of it has been led by Starc, who sheer pace, swing and great mastery with the yorker deliveries, has certainly made him one of the toughest bowlers in world cricket at present. Although Australia failed to come up with a stellar performance in the just concluded series against Sri Lanka in the sub-continent, but it was Starc, who fared well enough, as he claimed 24 scalps with an average of 15, reports espncricinfo.com.
It was the most wickets claimed by a fast bowler ever in Sri Lanka till date, as he also created a record of claiming 100 One-Day International (ODI) wickets in the most few games played. Australia would be immensely relying on the services of Starc for the upcoming home series, while the missed the second half of the season last time, owing to an ankle injury, which was followed by a long road to recovery.
“It was really exciting to see Mitch Starc perform well. I thought he was really close when we went over to England for that last Ashes series, and wasn’t quite there. But he’s shown that after his injury he’s really committed to working really hard and did all the work. I’ve kept in touch with him and he was really positive going into that series. To be the leading wicket-taker in Sri Lanka in those conditions was a real positive and a good step forward,” said Johnson.
“He can dominate again [at home] on wickets that are going to provide bounce, and with his height, it’s going to be very difficult. He bowls the fuller ball, gets the ball up there, and especially on a wicket like the WACA where it can get good bounce, it’s really vital to be up there. He’ll swing the ball when he pitches the ball up. That yorker he’s got is very dangerous. He’s always working to improve his game. He’s still pretty fresh in Test cricket. He’s only going to get better. He’s going to keep breaking records, I think, as well. It’s really exciting to see him play really well,” he added.
The opening Test at Perth against South Africa would be the first Test at the venue in the post-Johnson era, after the bowler retired at the venue in November 2015. Apart from him, three other bowlers in the form of Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, are the only bowlers, who have managed to continue their good run in the post-Johnson era so far, especially in Test cricket.
“It’s nice to be able to finish and have him performing in the line-up that Australia have. It’s a pretty inexperienced bowling line-up. They’ve got Nathan Lyon there, who’s got plenty of experience spin-bowling, and Josh Hazlewood is still trying to find his feet. There’s always going to be pressure on him to be like a [Glenn] McGrath,” said Johnson on Starc.
“But I think we’ve got a really good bowling line-up at the moment, and it’s really well-balanced. Those guys are really tall as well, so in these conditions they’re going to be really difficult to play. Coming up against South Africa at the start is really going to test Australia. But the bowling is really good at the moment. I’m really happy where it’s placed,” he added.
Johnson, however, is currently upset with the fact, that Australia have slummed to No. 3 in Test cricket, following their dismal series against Sri Lanka, in the three-Test series, which they lost 0-3. Nevertheless, it is also time that South Africa show some quality in test cricket, as they are currently placed in the fifth spot in the ICC Test Rankings.
“South Africa are going through a bit of a change at the moment but there are a few guys that have just come into really good form. Dale Steyn’s back in form, Morne [Morkel] is floating around there as well, and they’ve got a great batting line-up as always. Australia have always competed very hard against them,” concluded Johnson.