How great was Mitchell Johnson at his best?

[Harsh Thakor]

He may not have displayed the consistency of Dale Steyn ,Wasim Akram or Curtly Ambrose but at his best Aussie paceman Mitchelle Johnson was as lethal as anyone,literally pulverizing the batsmen.At his best few pace bowlers ever have been as daunting to face as Johnson in the 2013 home Ashes and in South Africa in 2014.His bowling posessed the complete package of speed.bounce and sideways movement.I can never forget how he got his deliveries to kick of a good length and his perfect control which had the best of batsmen reeling.To me at his best he could have been more lethal than even Dale Steyn and joined Marshall or Lillee.Sadly he could not adapt to the different conditions in England or in the sub-continent.If I had to make a choice of the best bowling on fast wickets then Johnson in 2013-14 would be up there with everyone.Arguably even the great Denis Lille did not surpass Johnson's skill in 2013-14 ,who looked closest to a programmed machine.Johnson simply made the ball explode blending the power of a bulldozer with the control of a motorist and skill of a surgeon.

Arguably he never did justice to his true potential but for which he would have ranked with the very best of them.

The Ashes (England in Australia), 2013/14
5 10 188.4 51 517 37 7/40 9/103 13.97 2.74 30.5 3 0 21 Nov 2013 Australia view innings
Australia in South Africa Test Series, 2013/14
3 6 126.1 26 382 22 7/68 12/127 17.36 3.02 34.4 2 1 12 Feb 2014 Australia

 

[Ab Fan]

At his peak, he was as good as anyone who hold the bowl. But how long was his peak?

It was just a purple patch(a bit like Yousuf) of 8 tests.

But yes they were two really huge series.

 

[Junaids]

At his peak, he was as good as anyone who hold the bowl. But how long was his peak?

It was just a purple patch(a bit like Yousuf) of 8 tests.

But yes they were two really huge series.

No, it wasn't.

People tend to forget that Mitch was TWICE the ICC Cricketer of the Year - in 2009 and 2014.

In 2008-09, he had a spell of 7-12 against South Africa in the WACA Test - that was a serious performance! And his career highlight came three months later in South Africa: against Dale Steyn at his peak he scored 96 not out and 123 in the 3 match series, and in the other Test he didn't just humiliate Hashim Amla, he hospitalised Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

That means he did not just have a purple patch for three months in 2013-14.

Mitchell Johnson was a superb left-arm bowling all-rounder. He was wrongly discarded by Mickey Arthur when he was the Aussie coach.

In 73 Tests, Johnson took 313 wickets at 28.40, but he also scored 2065 runs at 22.20

 

[Harsh Thakor]

No, it wasn't.

People tend to forget that Mitch was TWICE the ICC Cricketer of the Year - in 2009 and 2014.

In 2008-09, he had a spell of 7-12 against South Africa in the WACA Test - that was a serious performance! And his career highlight came three months later in South Africa: against Dale Steyn at his peak he scored 96 not out and 123 in the 3 match series, and in the other Test he didn't just humiliate Hashim Amla, he hospitalised Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

That means he did not just have a purple patch for three months in 2013-14.

Mitchell Johnson was a superb left-arm bowling all-rounder. He was wrongly discarded by Mickey Arthur when he was the Aussie coach.

In 73 Tests, Johnson took 313 wickets at 28.40, but he also scored 2065 runs at 22.20

At his best in Wasim Akram class?Not as versatile but quicker and posesed more control and bounce.

 

[ManFan]

One of the last of the dying breed who could install fear and inflict genuine harm to the batsman. Should have stayed on for ODI's but it is better for fans to ask "Why" rather than "When".

 

[Robert]

On his day probably the equal of anybody - Lindwall, Trueman, Lillee, Imran, Marshall, take your pick.

 

[Sher Khan]

He was as great as anybody during the 2013 Ashes. That's when he knew what his strengths were. Which was aiming for the badge at 150kph. He seemed to find out about his strengths towards the end of his career- which is interesting since even during the Big Bash League he is a very effective bowler. Which is why I think he retired too soon. He was rather wayward at the start of his career.

 

[Hasan123]

His best run was ATG level but that didn't last long enough for him to be considered an ATG . A truly frightening run.

 

[Ab Fan]

No, it wasn't.

People tend to forget that Mitch was TWICE the ICC Cricketer of the Year - in 2009 and 2014.

In 2008-09, he had a spell of 7-12 against South Africa in the WACA Test - that was a serious performance! And his career highlight came three months later in South Africa: against Dale Steyn at his peak he scored 96 not out and 123 in the 3 match series, and <B>in the other Test he didn't just humiliate Hashim Amla, he hospitalised Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.</B>

That means he did not just have a purple patch for three months in 2013-14.

Mitchell Johnson was a superb left-arm bowling all-rounder. He was wrongly discarded by Mickey Arthur when he was the Aussie coach.

In 73 Tests, Johnson took 313 wickets at 28.40, but he also scored 2065 runs at 22.20

Only Smith got retired hurt and then in final inning he came to bat with broken hand.

He has great performances against SA away and home(Jburg I recall too when Aus toured SA in 2009, actually that complete series). But he was taken to cleaners by Alastair Cook in 2010 back then he wasn't even a great bowler.

Moreover, he was highly ineffective in Asia too.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Just good for fast and bouncy surfaces, ie Australia and South Africa and maybe New Zealand.
His second peak only last two series, not a big enough sample size. Lacked consistency and heart on favourable surfaces and unfavourable surfaces respectively.

 

[Justcrazy]

High on potential , but very inconsistent.