Mumbai: Mitchell Johnson – the Australian speedster who called time on his 10-year international career on Tuesday – represented the generation after the golden era of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie.
Let’s have a look at some of his best performances with the leather.
4/11, Kuala Lumpur (2006) against India
He was young and fresh. The Indians hadn’t studied the newcomer and that proved to be a mistake when the left-arm pacer sent four Indians back to the dressing room in four overs. The match ended in no result but Johnson announced his arrival with 4/11. His victims – Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan and Yuvraj singh.
8/61, Perth (2008) against South Africa
Johnson’s best bowling performance in Test cricket saw him clean up a powerful Proteas batting line-up with the old ball. Though Australia could not save the Test, the left-arm pacer’s spell (in first innings) saw him pick up five wickets in 3.2 overs. His victims were Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie.
6/31, Pallekele (2011) against Sri Lanka
Fresh from their solid run in the World Cup, Sri Lanka were clear favourites to win the rubber in August 2011 but Johnson had other plans. He picked up six wickets – including the important ones of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews – to restrict the hosts to 191. Australia won the match by seven wickets.
7/40, Adelaide (2013) against England
Australia punished England in the return Ashes with Johnson breathing fire in his own backyard. He won the Man of the Match award for pocketing a match haul of eight wickets, which included seven in the first innings where he took five wickets in 18 balls – Ben Stokes, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann.
7/68 & 5/58, Centurion (2014) against South Africa
Undoubtedly, one of his best overseas performances. Johnson picked up a match haul of 12 wickets to gift his side a series win in South Africa. He picked up a 7/68 in the first innings and a 5/59 in the second. He also won the Man of the Match award.
