Mitchell Johnson vs Mitchell Starc: Who will go down as the bigger legend for Australia?

[Savak]

Mitchell Johnson

73 tests, 313 wickets at 28.4 avg, 51.1 SR, Economy 3.33. 2065 runs, avg 22.20, 1 century, 11 50's

153 ODIs, 239 wickets at 25.26 avg, 31.3 SR, Economy 4.83. 951 runs, avg 16.11, 2 50's, SR 96.35

30 T20s, 38 wickets at 20.97 avg, 17.2 SR, Economy 7.28. 109 runs, avg 10.90, SR 114.73

Mitchell Starc

94 tests, 376 wickets at 27.78 avg, 48.7 SR, Economy 3.41. 2190 runs, avg 20.09, 10 50's

127 ODIs, 244 wickets at 23.40 avg, 26.6 SR, Economy 5.26, 577 runs, avg 12.02 1 50, SR 77.55

65 T20s, 79 wickets at 23.81 avg, 18.4 SR, Economy 7.74, 98 runs, avg 9.80, SR 98

Its very hard to distinguish b/w the two in test cricket. Johnson only really had his major career purple patch in 2013-14 where he increased his pace by a good 10-12 km/hr and scared the hell out of the English players in the 2013 ashes series. He was really feared by all batters around the world and even ABD mentioned in an interview that it required a tremendous amount of guts, heart to face him in his ideal conditions.

Johnson is a ODI WC winner for Australia and won Australia the 2013-14 Ashes series but he also contributed to the 2009 and 2010-11 Ashes defeats, the 2009 and 2012 defeats to South Africa at home.

Starc in comparison is also a three time ODI WC winner for Australia i.e. 2015 & 2023 OD WC winner, 2021 T20 WC winner, the 2017 & 2022 Ashes Win but he also has had his fair share of failures i.e. 2013 Ashes, the Border Gavasker Series 2018, 2021, 2012, 2016 & 2018 South African series and lets not forget the Sand paper scandal.

My opinion, Starc wins marginally on longevity.

 

[anikrc1]

Starc better in odis. Johnson in tests. Johnson played in a relatively weaker Australian team with less bowling support. Hazelwood and Cummins's misery with the ball badically allows Australia to bear with Starc's often times lose bowling. Johnson only had Harris who was often times injured and Stuart Clarke at the beginning of his career who can hold one end up. So his waywardness hurt Australia more. Plus Johnson arguably reached the highest bowling peak ever.

 

[light]

I think Johnson will. Also that that moustache was legendary and fierce

 

[jnaveen1980]

That one series is enough for MJ. He terrorized English batsmen. Made them cry. The stares and glares he gave at Jo Root was practically child abuse.

 

[neonoir]

Johnson for me that initial burst he had from 2007-2009 I believe he won ICC player of the year.

Then he had the forgettable 2010-11 Ashes where the Barmy Army sang that chant, and an overall decline but the Aus team of that era was relatively poor especially the bowling lineup.

But his comeback was immense The 2013 home ashes then a few months later beat SA in SA and then capped it off with the 2015 WC win.

 

[pillionrider]

You need to be flawed to truly be a legend.

Johnson was.

I also think Cummins will be the greater bowler vs Starc anyway.

 

[Protea Fan]

Barring those 2 series johnson was bang mediocre where as starc was more consistent throughout his career

 

[Ab Fan]

Johnson’s peak was pretty special. But Starc is more consistent although he is also helped by these pink ball tests introduced by Australia.

Johnson bowled in a more flatter era compared to Starc. Can anyone post the stats excluding pink ball tests?

 

[big_gamer007]

Starc’s World Cup exploits put him above Johnson.

 

[Varun]

Starc can only dream of having a 2013/14 type Ashes.

 

[kingusama92]

Johnson at his peak was pure entertainment. Kind of like watching Shoaib Akhtar steaming in.

Some guys are just great to watch and Johnson was especially against England.

But Starc has the better track record and will likely go down as the bigger Australian legend due to his sustained success including in the biggest WC moments.

 

[BCCI-Enforcer]

Is anyone able to share there record in BGT ?

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Starc much superior in LOIs.
Johnson had better spurts of patches where he was arguably the best bowler in the world in tests sandwiched in between mediocre patches.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

That one series is enough for MJ. He terrorized English batsmen. Made them cry. The stares and glares he gave at Jo Root was practically child abuse.

Ok. England made him cry at home in 09 and down under in 2010 - 2011

 

[Statpadder Inc]

Starc because he's the odi goat but johnson 2013-14 will be remembered by the fans more than anything starc has ever done

 

[Ab Fan]

Starc 2015 World Cup exploits will be remembered forever too.

Wickets 22
Avg 10
Econ 3.5

These are just phenomenal numbers in that World Cup.

 

[shamaan]

Starc 100%

 

[topspin]

White ball - Starc
Red ball - Johnson

I think Starc's test record is inflated slightly due to the use of sand paper. After sand paper gate, he wasn't the same bowler.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Starc.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

White ball - Starc
Red ball - Johnson

I think Starc's test record is inflated slightly due to the use of sand paper. After sand paper gate, he wasn't the same bowler.

Basically

 

[sweep_shot]

Starc definitely.

He won 4 ICC trophies and has more wickets than Johnson.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Star ofcourse although Johnson was a bigger bogeyman when it came to facing India.

 

[Mamoon]

Starc is much better. Johnson was bang average outside a fantastic little peak.

 

[Xoib]

Mitchell Johnson

73 tests, 313 wickets at 28.4 avg, 51.1 SR, Economy 3.33. 2065 runs, avg 22.20, 1 century, 11 50's

153 ODIs, 239 wickets at 25.26 avg, 31.3 SR, Economy 4.83. 951 runs, avg 16.11, 2 50's, SR 96.35

30 T20s, 38 wickets at 20.97 avg, 17.2 SR, Economy 7.28. 109 runs, avg 10.90, SR 114.73

Mitchell Starc

94 tests, 376 wickets at 27.78 avg, 48.7 SR, Economy 3.41. 2190 runs, avg 20.09, 10 50's

127 ODIs, 244 wickets at 23.40 avg, 26.6 SR, Economy 5.26, 577 runs, avg 12.02 1 50, SR 77.55

65 T20s, 79 wickets at 23.81 avg, 18.4 SR, Economy 7.74, 98 runs, avg 9.80, SR 98

Its very hard to distinguish b/w the two in test cricket. Johnson only really had his major career purple patch in 2013-14 where he increased his pace by a good 10-12 km/hr and scared the hell out of the English players in the 2013 ashes series. He was really feared by all batters around the world and even ABD mentioned in an interview that it required a tremendous amount of guts, heart to face him in his ideal conditions.

Johnson is a ODI WC winner for Australia and won Australia the 2013-14 Ashes series but he also contributed to the 2009 and 2010-11 Ashes defeats, the 2009 and 2012 defeats to South Africa at home.

Starc in comparison is also a three time ODI WC winner for Australia i.e. 2015 & 2023 OD WC winner, 2021 T20 WC winner, the 2017 & 2022 Ashes Win but he also has had his fair share of failures i.e. 2013 Ashes, the Border Gavasker Series 2018, 2021, 2012, 2016 & 2018 South African series and lets not forget the Sand paper scandal.

My opinion, Starc wins marginally on longevity.

Incredible with these stats they are not even among top 5 pacers Australia have produced it shows their incredible depth
Mcgrath
Lillie
Cummins
Lindwall
Davison
Gillispie
McDermott
Johnson
Starc
Lee

 

[wrongun]

Mitchell Johnson

73 tests, 313 wickets at 28.4 avg, 51.1 SR, Economy 3.33. 2065 runs, avg 22.20, 1 century, 11 50's

153 ODIs, 239 wickets at 25.26 avg, 31.3 SR, Economy 4.83. 951 runs, avg 16.11, 2 50's, SR 96.35

30 T20s, 38 wickets at 20.97 avg, 17.2 SR, Economy 7.28. 109 runs, avg 10.90, SR 114.73

Mitchell Starc

94 tests, 376 wickets at 27.78 avg, 48.7 SR, Economy 3.41. 2190 runs, avg 20.09, 10 50's

127 ODIs, 244 wickets at 23.40 avg, 26.6 SR, Economy 5.26, 577 runs, avg 12.02 1 50, SR 77.55

65 T20s, 79 wickets at 23.81 avg, 18.4 SR, Economy 7.74, 98 runs, avg 9.80, SR 98

Its very hard to distinguish b/w the two in test cricket. Johnson only really had his major career purple patch in 2013-14 where he increased his pace by a good 10-12 km/hr and scared the hell out of the English players in the 2013 ashes series. He was really feared by all batters around the world and even ABD mentioned in an interview that it required a tremendous amount of guts, heart to face him in his ideal conditions.

Johnson is a ODI WC winner for Australia and won Australia the 2013-14 Ashes series but he also contributed to the 2009 and 2010-11 Ashes defeats, the 2009 and 2012 defeats to South Africa at home.

Starc in comparison is also a three time ODI WC winner for Australia i.e. 2015 & 2023 OD WC winner, 2021 T20 WC winner, the 2017 & 2022 Ashes Win but he also has had his fair share of failures i.e. 2013 Ashes, the Border Gavasker Series 2018, 2021, 2012, 2016 & 2018 South African series and lets not forget the Sand paper scandal.

My opinion, Starc wins marginally on longevity.

I think you need to dig deeper on Johnson, if you weren't watching Oz during his early years. He was red hot and rapid. His 2008/2009 period was another 18 month peak.



He starts 2008 with some classic Johnson inconsistency- excellent some games in Oz and in India but ordinary in others. He had 13 wickets from 3 tests @36 away in India heading into the infamous Nagpur dustbowl match. Then late 2008 he wrecks the Kiwis at the Gabba & is good again in Adelaide- taking 14 wkts @11 in 2 matches- he's on!

2008 v SA at the WACA he was often lightning fast and moving the ball. 11 wkts for the match. We played SA home & away during that period and he broke Smith's hand- twice! the 2nd one in Sydney being more famous as Smith came out to bat in a cast and won the respect of Sydney crowd- and also broke Kallis' ribs among numerous other blows- some seriously good bats to be roughing up with quick bowling!

He takes 16 wkts @25 away in SA, some match winning bowling, he's on fire with the bat too scoring 96* & 123* in that series with buccaneering late order hitting. MoM in match 1. Destroys SA top order in match 2 including one of the Smith breaks at Durban.

It was an impressive run of bowling vs some of the atg bats of the era in home & away conditions. Not _quite_ as controlled as the 2nd Johnson peak so some of the averages are higher but he was a bad dude in that period.

In England 2009 he was back to earth a bit- 21 wkts @30 in 5 tests. Again some devastating matches and some mediocre ones.

But that peak over 2008/2009 when OZ was duelling with SA for top team in the world, home and away and he's just blowing them away or breaking them entirely, winning matches on his own was also impressive.

Imo Johnsons twin peaks were higher, he was just as quick in those peaks as anyone going and scarier than Starc due to his slingshot action hiding the ball. For me yeah Starc's overall tally is impressive and he'll have a highlight reel of yorkers alone like 15 mins long by the time he retires...

But I'd rather watch Johnson- he put the fear of god into other teams like few fast bowlers can.

 

[Hyder]

Odis starc
Tests johnson

Just based on the amount of joy they brought in respective formats.
Johnson 2013 14 is fierce and memorable one
And starc is a class act in odi wc

 

[Savak]

2013 to 2014. Batsmen around the world were literally scared of being hit by the ball, it was body line level fear. Johnson charged in with the look and intention he wanted to terrorize your body. His peak signature move was to go around the wicket to the left handers and target their ribs with 148-150 km/hr thunderbolts. Left handers were so terrified by this move, they would literally jump around the crease and not get into line and very often they got caught nicking the bouncer to the keeper, first slip.

 

[Buffet]

Johnson is often remembered for bullying entire Eng batting line up in that Ahses.

But he has a great series in SA in 2014. He took 20 plus wickets at sub 20 avg in that series. One of the best series for touring bowlers in SA.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Starc has long-term consistency but I enjoyed watching Johnson more. He was a scary bowler in his peak and his performance in the 2013 Ashes will always be remembered.

Starc's World Cup performances and ODI record make him one of the greatest bowlers in the history of that format, which bears acknowledgement.