Suneer S. Chowdhary
Arnold
Tash Jayasinghe
Dexter
CibbuanoClark or Johnson for the first Ashes test?
October 25th 2006 02:42
With only 4 short weeks until the Ashes start in Brisbane on 23 November all talk has been of the third Australian seamer’s spot. With McGrath, Lee, Warne and one of Watson or Symonds almost guaranteed spots in the bowling line up it is only the first change pace bowling option that needs consideration to round out the attack.
The two strongest contenders for this position appear to be Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark. Michael Kasprowicz is out injured and Shaun Tait only returned to competitive cricket last week after a long injury lay off. Tait’s ability to produce wicket taking deliveries is unquestionable although it is what is served up between times that will give the selectors much to think about in the coming months.
Stuart Clark excelled himself in his debut series in South Africa, admirably taking over in Glen McGrath’s absence. His ability to land the ball on the same testing spot time and time again meant that despite his 500 tally of test wickets McGrath’s absence was not really felt. Clark is reliable and can wield the willow in effective fashion when required. His fielding is solid and if selected we can be reasonably sure of his ability to do the job for Australia. That is to keep it tight at his end while the likes of Shane Warne and Brett Lee at the other end use their respective skills to pick up the lion’s share of the wickets.
Mitchell Johnson has been tagged as the next big thing in Australian cricket. Dennis Lillie’s assessment, while undoubtably an astute observation, has done little to help the shy and retiring Johnson in his quest to reach the top. Such was the weight of expectation and subsequent injuries from trying too hard that he has considered quitting the game before he had the chance to excel.
Luckily for Australian cricket this did not happen and we have seen Johnson stamp his mark on the game in the last few weeks, firstly in Malaysia and then at the Champion’s Trophy. Much like Shaun Tait Johnson has the ability to bowl wicket taking deliveries at regular intervals. Mix this talent with his sharp left arm over the wicket swing stock deliveries and you have a unique package indeed. Without wanting to fall into the Lillie mould of over egging players at an early stage, there is something of a young Wasim Akram about Johnson.
For me, in an ideal world, Johnson would be picked ahead of Clark for the first Ashes test. He offers something out of the ordinary and will be an ideal weapon to call on in situations where free scoring batsmen like Flintoff and Peitersen need to be countered. The big ‘if’ in the equation is the return of Glenn McGrath. If McGrath’s return to competitive cricket is not as smooth as planned and there is a need for another steadying influence in the team then perhaps Stuart Clark should be selected. For me though it is Johnson all the way and here’s hoping he can start is career with an Ashes victory.
The two strongest contenders for this position appear to be Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark. Michael Kasprowicz is out injured and Shaun Tait only returned to competitive cricket last week after a long injury lay off. Tait’s ability to produce wicket taking deliveries is unquestionable although it is what is served up between times that will give the selectors much to think about in the coming months.
Stuart Clark excelled himself in his debut series in South Africa, admirably taking over in Glen McGrath’s absence. His ability to land the ball on the same testing spot time and time again meant that despite his 500 tally of test wickets McGrath’s absence was not really felt. Clark is reliable and can wield the willow in effective fashion when required. His fielding is solid and if selected we can be reasonably sure of his ability to do the job for Australia. That is to keep it tight at his end while the likes of Shane Warne and Brett Lee at the other end use their respective skills to pick up the lion’s share of the wickets.
Mitchell Johnson has been tagged as the next big thing in Australian cricket. Dennis Lillie’s assessment, while undoubtably an astute observation, has done little to help the shy and retiring Johnson in his quest to reach the top. Such was the weight of expectation and subsequent injuries from trying too hard that he has considered quitting the game before he had the chance to excel.
Luckily for Australian cricket this did not happen and we have seen Johnson stamp his mark on the game in the last few weeks, firstly in Malaysia and then at the Champion’s Trophy. Much like Shaun Tait Johnson has the ability to bowl wicket taking deliveries at regular intervals. Mix this talent with his sharp left arm over the wicket swing stock deliveries and you have a unique package indeed. Without wanting to fall into the Lillie mould of over egging players at an early stage, there is something of a young Wasim Akram about Johnson.
For me, in an ideal world, Johnson would be picked ahead of Clark for the first Ashes test. He offers something out of the ordinary and will be an ideal weapon to call on in situations where free scoring batsmen like Flintoff and Peitersen need to be countered. The big ‘if’ in the equation is the return of Glenn McGrath. If McGrath’s return to competitive cricket is not as smooth as planned and there is a need for another steadying influence in the team then perhaps Stuart Clark should be selected. For me though it is Johnson all the way and here’s hoping he can start is career with an Ashes victory.
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