It is a lethal combination, and allied with his ability to procure disconcerting bounce from a length, it singles him out as a customer that brooks careful watching.
India also have three left-arm medium-pacers who can swing it back in from over the wicket. What separates Johnson from Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh and Irfan Pathan is his ability to consistently touch or better the 140-kmph mark.
Just 25 and less than two years young in international cricket, the Queenslander has gradually wended his way up the ranks to earn the right to partner Brett Lee at the top of the bowling tree. And if Adam Gilchrist is to be believed, Johnson is the one that kick-started Australia’s campaign on this tour.
India batted less than 15 minutes in Bangalore last Saturday, but that was time enough for Johnson to get rid of Sachin Tendulkar for a 19th duck in one-day cricket. Tour vice-captain Gilchrist holds the view that that stick somehow gave the Aussies the momentum they were looking for, even if the game itself ended in a no-result.
In the two succeeding matches, Johnson has again struck in his first spell. In Kochi, he got rid of Gautam Gambhir while on Friday in Hyderabad, Robin Uthappa fell victim in a fashion not unlike Tendulkar’s as he was trapped in front by an in-swinger.
“Johnson has been terrific, both at the Twenty20 World Cup and here on this tour so far,” said skipper Ricky Ponting. “He has taken early wickets in each of the three games, and that has been the key. When you have two bowlers who bowl with the new ball and both can threaten the 150-mark, it is a huge advantage. Johnson is different in the sense that he is also a left-armer. As a fielding captain, with this kind of firepower at your disposal, you will be pretty excited. Johnson has worked the batters over, and it is to his benefit that he is a left-armer who can swing it in. He has slotted into the team beautifully.”
Embarrassment
India first had the taste of the Johnson medicine in Kuala Lumpur last September when he picked up four for 11 in four overs and reduced them to 35 for five before the rains saved them from acute embarrassment. Having seen Johnson quite a few times from close quarters, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in good position to offer his insight.
“He is among the quickest left-arm fast bowlers around,” the Indian captain observed. “That is really helping them. He gets early wickets, and when he comes back for a second and third spell, he changes the angle by bowling from round the stumps and cramping the batsmen for room.”
Four wickets from 20 overs, and counting, but Johnson’s value isn’t just restricted to figures. Already 0-2 down, India must counter the Johnson threat, and quickly, for this series to not degenerate into a rout.
