View Full Version : Mitchell and Bichel bound for Essex
Bichel and Johnson join Essex
Cricinfo staff
March 7, 2006
http://img.cricinfo.com/spacer.gif
http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/inline/content/image/238241.jpg?alt=1
Andy Bichel will be appearing for his third county when he joins Essex © Getty Images
Essex have signed the Australian fast bowlers Andrew Bichel and Mitchell Johnson ahead of the new season. They will share the second overseas player duties, complementing the New Zealand allrounder Andre Adams who is returning to Essex for his second full season.
Bichel, 35, is currently the second-highest wicket taker in the Pura Cup with 43 victims at 25 apiece. He joins Essex after a successful county stint with Worcestershire between 2001 and 2004 and a short period with Hampshire in 2005.
Johnson, 24, has forced his way into the Australian one-day squad since the start of the year and played in the first ODI against South Africa on the current tour. He has been described by Dennis Lillee as a 'once in a generation bowler' but has be plagued by injuries through his short career. In this year's Pura Cup he has 18 wickets at 30 and has impressed with his sharp pace.
The Essex chief executive, David East, told essexcricket.org.uk: "We are delighted that Mitchell Johnson and Andy Bichel are going to be performing a double-act in our second overseas slot.
"Johnson may be largely an unknown quantity here but is highly-regarded as far as the intelligence goes from our sources. They rate him extremely highly and he is up there with some of the brightest prospects in Australia.
"Bichel is a tried and trusted international and county performer and we are hoping when he arrives mid-summer he'll start making some match-winning contributions straight away."
The captain, Ronnie Irani, added: "In combination we've gone with a young, inexperienced, raw player with massive potential in Johnson and experience with Bichel who knows what he is doing and can give it a whack with the bat as well."
Johnson will be available from the start of the season until June 17, when he will return to Australia for A team commitments, and will be replaced by Bichel until September 14.
Why would you choose Johnson, seriously! :o
Why would you choose Johnson, seriously! :o
I second that! Then again, County Cricket can be the turning point of some players careers. This will finally seperate the men from the boys - now where will Johnson be categorized :p
Good to see Essex going for two Bulls...Chelmsford definitelyahotplace this summer....
I second that! Then again, County Cricket can be the turning point of some players careers. This will finally seperate the men from the boys - now where will Johnson be categorized :p
They've got every single player to choose from in the world and they choose Mitchell effing Johnson. Obviously they're not interesting in winning the comp! :thumbsd:
Calcium Man
7 Mar 2006, 20:32
This is Johnsons chance to prove he has it!!! I guess we will see at the end of winter!!
Grimwood
7 Mar 2006, 20:38
I thought it was daft to start with but Gough and Tudor are never really fit so I guess it makes sense to use the overseas slots for seam bowlers. Also I'm now satisfied that Johnson isn't going to turn up somewhere stupid like Lancs or Durham.
eddiesmith
7 Mar 2006, 20:52
They've got every single player to choose from in the world and they choose Mitchell effing Johnson. Obviously they're not interesting in winning the comp! :thumbsd:
Actually for some reason a few Aussies have said no to county cricket this year
SorryIHammerChicken
7 Mar 2006, 20:59
This is Johnsons chance to prove he has it!!! I guess we will see at the end of winter!!
Johnson's not even good enough for QLD's 2nd XI, why would anyone want this hack?
Shaun Tait had one of the worst stints in county cricket ever put forward by an overseas player and he's now likely to take the new ball for Australia. You laugh at the poms giving Johnson a short term contract but imagine how hard they're laughing right now at our selection policy. Point is - unless you have watched a guy day in day out then you really don't have a clue.
This idea of criticising young players cracks me up. I mean, really, who are we to comment? The people who give Johnson a hard time have probably seen him bowl in 2 ODIs and a couple of ING cup matches and all of a sudden they have the wisdom of Solomon. I don't really have an opinion on Johnson - I know he's not good enough yet to play international cricket but the guy has averaged about 30 with the ball in about his first full season of FC cricket so I reckon he can probably handle the rigours of county cricket:rolleyes:
Interestingly, his average in PC this year is better than Tait's. He should perform better than Tait in county cricket.
apollo_creed
8 Mar 2006, 13:50
Shaun Tait had one of the worst stints in county cricket ever put forward by an overseas player and he's now likely to take the new ball for Australia. You laugh at the poms giving Johnson a short term contract but imagine how hard they're laughing right now at our selection policy. Point is - unless you have watched a guy day in day out then you really don't have a clue.
This idea of criticising young players cracks me up. I mean, really, who are we to comment? The people who give Johnson a hard time have probably seen him bowl in 2 ODIs and a couple of ING cup matches and all of a sudden they have the wisdom of Solomon. I don't really have an opinion on Johnson - I know he's not good enough yet to play international cricket but the guy has averaged about 30 with the ball in about his first full season of FC cricket so I reckon he can probably handle the rigours of county cricket:rolleyes:
Interestingly, his average in PC this year is better than Tait's. He should perform better than Tait in county cricket.
Laughable.
Tait came back from a bad shoulder injury.
His record in the two full seasons prior is something Johnson COULD NEVER ACHEIVE.
He basically led the Pura and ING Cup wicket takers for two years running.
If you're somehow suggesting that he's better than Tait, then well..... :rolleyes:
Tait's 2 or 3 years younger and HAS ALREADY ACHEIVED FAR MORE
As for Johnson, I've seen him a bit, and he IS NO GOOD. He's a fast bowling version of Beau Casson.
His first full season? He played alot last year, and you're forgetting that he's like 25 or 26.
If you ever want to compare him with Shaun Tait then come back to me when he's been the leading wicket taker in the Pura Cup and ING Cup comps for two years running, smashes one domestic record after another, absolutely dominates state cricket and rips through batting line-ups.
You are in no position to give a judgment. It's all too obvious you're unable to give a fair appraisal on one of your players who's VERY FORTUNATE to even be playing for Queensland. Johnson at this stage isn't even worthy of a place in his state's first XI at the moment.
And he plays at the Gabba every second game. The best fast bowling wicket in the world, a pitch that is doctored by KMJ every game to suit the Queensland seamers. And he still struggles!
Laughable.
Tait came back from a bad shoulder injury.
His record in the two full seasons prior is something Johnson COULD NEVER ACHEIVE.
He basically led the Pura and ING Cup wicket takers for two years running.
If you're somehow suggesting that he's better than Tait, then well..... :rolleyes:
Tait's 2 or 3 years younger and HAS ALREADY ACHEIVED FAR MORE
As for Johnson, I've seen him a bit, and he IS NO GOOD. He's a fast bowling version of Beau Casson.
His first full season? He played alot last year, and you're forgetting that he's like 25 or 26. He's a dud. Everyone knows it. Except you obviously.
If you ever want to compare him with Shaun Tait then come back to me when he's been the leading wicket taker in the Pura Cup and ING Cup comps for two years running, smashes one domestic record after another, absolutely dominates state cricket and rips through batting line-ups.
He'll never do it. But if he does feel free to make any ridiculous comparison you like.
You're from Queensland.
You are in no position to give a judgment. It's all too obvious you're unable to give a fair appraisal on one of your players who's VERY FORTUNATE to even be playing for Queensland. Face it buddy, the guy's not even good enough for domestic cricket.
And he plays at the Gabba every second game. The best fast bowling wicket in the world, a pitch that is doctored by KMJ every game to suit the Queensland fast bowlers. And he still struggles. What a dud!
Simply pointing out to those who criticised Essex selecting Johnson that Tait had a terrible county stint and look where he is now. It is premature to critique the signing of Johnson. I was in Durham just before the Ashes series and they were p.ssing themselves about the fact that Tait was likely to be selected. They thought he was a joke - an opinion based on limited viewing of the guy. Sound familiar?
"Buddy", there wouldn't be a Queensland supporter on this site who is more impartial about his own players than I. I said Johnson is not up to international standard. I've also gone on record as saying that he would have returned as 12th man for Queensland if Kasper had not been selected. However, I do think he has potential based on some of the times I've seen him bowl live but that's about it. I also think he can handle county cricket which is the topic at hand.
FFS its like I called your mother a whore by the way you carry on about it. How's your Tait obsession - have difficulty looking at the issue objectively, do you?
I admit my last sentence could be misconstrued. It was meant sarcastically. Other than that, I won't be drawn into any further debate with a far kwit like you.
roostersgal4eva
8 Mar 2006, 14:39
AC i compleaty agree with you :p
Coincidently, when does county season start
apollo_creed
8 Mar 2006, 14:42
Simply pointing out to those who criticised Essex selecting Johnson that Tait had a terrible county stint and look where he is now. It is premature to critique the signing of Johnson. I was in Durham just before the Ashes series and they were p.ssing themselves about the fact that Tait was likely to be selected. They thought he was a joke - an opinion based on limited viewing of the guy. Sound familiar?
"Buddy", there wouldn't be a Queensland supporter on this site who is more impartial about his own players than I. I said Johnson is not up to international standard. I've also gone on record as saying that he would have returned as 12th man for Queensland if Kasper had not been selected. However, I do think he has potential based on some of the times I've seen him bowl live but that's about it. I also think he can handle county cricket which is the topic at hand.
FFS its like I called your mother a whore by the way you carry on about it. How's your Tait obsession - have difficulty looking at the issue objectively, do you?
I admit my last sentence could be misconstrued. It was meant sarcastically. Other than that, I won't be drawn into any further debate with a far kwit like you.
Well I edited my original post a little bit before your reply (including the 'buddy' reference) because I thought I was a little harsh on you.
But nonetheless whether it was intentional or not, you were comparing Johnson and Tait and presenting the opinion that Johnson was as good/deserving as Tait.
apollo_creed
8 Mar 2006, 14:47
AC i compleaty agree with you :p
Good stuff RoosterGal :) I hear it alot though.
Now if you'll agree with 'My Proposal' on the Fantasy Cricket board, it'd be greatly appreciated :thumbsu: :p
Why would you choose Johnson, seriously! :o
same could be said about andre adams....
Well I edited my original post a little bit before your reply (including the 'buddy' reference) because I thought I was a little harsh on you.
But nonetheless whether it was intentional or not, you were comparing Johnson and Tait and presenting the opinion that Johnson was as good/deserving as Tait.
Never my intention - in fact, my opinion is quite the opposite - potential and good reports from the likes of Lillee should only get you so far and Johnson has got too far without demonstrating the results of Tait. Tait more than deserves his spot and should get a gig in the Tests. Fact remains though - a heap of people in England don't rate him based on ******** all knowledge of the guy.
I just get the sh.ts with the people who have a crack at young, inexperienced guys when they really don't have a clue. I've seen Johnson bowl live at 2 or 3 levels of cricket and there is something there...when he puts it together he is quick and penetrating...two things that the likes of Clark and Bracken don't have. Unfortunately, that hasn't been evident on the big stage such as the ODIs and the televised matches. As I said, he is not in Qld's first string bowling attack at the moment and doesn't deserve to be. But there's no question he's good enough to play county cricket - it is not an elite competition, particularly without the better English players.
Tasmanian batter Travis Birt is off to Derbyshire for this county season. Will be very interesting to see how he goes.
http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/240065.html