Mitchell Johnson - Finished?

[Doggy doo doo]

I

He can't keep this up, but it's the most amazing ride for Aus fans.

if we keep knocking teams over in 3 to 4 days he can go forever

 

[King Elvis]

It seems that not only is he bowling better, but the batsmen are suddenly fearing him and doubting themselves more than they ever would have. It seems to have somehow given our top order some added confidence too.

It's like the movie 'Troy' - Achilles is the best warrior in the world, and when he's in the fight, his entire side lifts and follows him, feeling like they can't be defeated with him on their side.

Mitch is the same, he's such a powerful, destructive weapon at present, that the entire side gets swept up in what he's doing and feels invincible.

The only issue is, I have never seen such a dominant performance by a single player; the downside of this - I have never seen a cricket team that is almost completely a one man band.

 

[the_interloper]

I

if we keep knocking teams over in 3 to 4 days he can go forever

Um, wut, how does that work? I'll guarantee he has to retire by 55 at the very latest.

 

[Shupe]

The only issue is, I have never seen such a dominant performance by a single player; the downside of this - I have never seen a cricket team that is almost completely a one man band.

I can't say I agree. Whilst he may be the one taking all of the wickets, our batsmen are still putting the runs on the board. Since the start of the Ashes, our average first innings total is 363. Take out the one shit score (Melbourne - 204) and we average 396 first innings runs. I think teams would take that any day.

Those totals that are being put up are certainly defendable, thus we are not a one man band.

 

[King Elvis]

You're right, but bowlers win games.

And MJ is totally destroying teams - mentally demoralizing them and crushing their appetite for the fight.

 

[Shupe]

I don't disagree, but I just wouldn't call us a one man band. There are solid contributions coming from elsewhere. I'd like to see a game where MJ doesn't take many wickets, but still intimidates with his bowling. What would be interesting is to see whether the other bowlers can capitalise.

 

[blackcat]

It's like the movie 'Troy' - Achilles is the best warrior in the world, and when he's in the fight, his entire side lifts and follows him, feeling like they can't be defeated with him on their side.

Mitch is the same, he's such a powerful, destructive weapon at present, that the entire side gets swept up in what he's doing and feels invincible.

The only issue is, I have never seen such a dominant performance by a single player; the downside of this - I have never seen a cricket team that is almost completely a one man band.

the guys in the recent era who brought sides with them, Hodge, Rooke, Hird

 

[blackcat]

some will be able to answer this, in about 07, I saw Harmison and Flintoff hitting 149 and 150 in their home series in England against us. They got loads of wickets, splitting the spoils between themselves, so no massive bags or ten for. just great overall figures and series wicket hauls.

But, I dont know, it did not seem absolute express and dangerous.

Anyone have any theories on speed guns, and if they are calibrated, or appeal to an audience by tweaking them on the "up side".

 

[Matera92]

It isn't just Johnsons pace though, his short ball is just plain dangerous. He bowls it at your throat, as a batsman it is just about the most awkward place to try and play from. You're no longer only worrying about your wicket.

You genuinely fear for your health.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Sky have certainly tweaked their speed readings before. At times some of the commentators have giggled at the readings as everyone is bowling over 90mph even the medium fast bowlers. I:m not sure how reliable any of them are tbh.

 

[djrossie16]

Things have certainly turned around for him. Can't see any more rat shit thread titles in his honour.

 

[Andronicus]

Things have certainly turned around for him. Can't see any more rat shit thread titles in his honour.

MJ makes the number 1 ranked test team look like rat shit?

 

[blackcat]

Sky have certainly tweaked their speed readings before. At times some of the commentators have giggled at the readings as everyone is bowling over 90mph even the medium fast bowlers. I:m not sure how reliable any of them are tbh.

actually, I think Harmison and Flintoff were breaching 150, by a material number, 152/53. Lee and whoever else was bowling next to him, were struggling to get to high 140s. Those British fastmen, were about 5 above Lee.

 

[4evablues]

http://www.sportsfan.com.au/johnson...the-world/tabid/91/newsid/123274/default.aspx

"In his past six Tests the 31-year-old has taken a staggering 49 wickets at an average of 13.14 and a strike-rate of 27. He has also won four man-of-the-match awards and scored 198 runs at a handy lower-order average of 28.3."

Bloody crazy stats but we can't expect him to keep it up long term. Really like how Clarke uses him without over using him. If we want the best from him long term, Clarke is doing the best he can to do that.

 

[Tulip]

Justified to an extent, but the level of malice and invective people were too happy to hurl at him when he was down was over the top. Certainly he faced more of it than any other out of form cricketer we've had over the last 10 years for no real individual reason.

He was the face of consecutive Ashes failures after so many victories in a row. He lost confidence at a bad time.

 

[Tulip]

You're right, but bowlers win games.

And MJ is totally destroying teams - mentally demoralizing them and crushing their appetite for the fight.

Without Siddle and Harris giving the batsmen **** all loose for 10 over spells, Mitch might not be as terrifying. Team effort.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

He was the face of consecutive Ashes failures after so many victories in a row. He lost confidence at a bad time.

He's like KP in one way. When a player has this sort of ceiling, unfortunately they get blamed when they don't hit it very often. And they carry the can for less talented players who can't do what they do.

Clarke and Boof are proving that he was used wrongly for years. In retrospect, expecting him to be a long spell line and length bowler was/is insanity now that everyone realises what he can do when that is not part of the game plan.

But I'd also put it down to having a proper strike bowler in Harris alongside him. Takes an enormous amount pressure off him.

 

[King Elvis]

Without Siddle and Harris giving the batsmen **** all loose for 10 over spells, Mitch might not be as terrifying. Team effort.

Definitely a factor, but in the case of the Saffers, he ripped their hearts out in his first few overs.