Mitchell Johnson as a bowling all rounder?

[Red]

Noticed that Johnson has been included in the squad for Perth. Johnson is a cricketer who polarises opinions. He can be a real match winner with the ball, or a real liability. His best is excellent, but his worst is very poor.

One thing I have always liked about Johnson is his batting. He seems capable of playing all the shots, and he has a sound defence. His average is over 20 with the bat, and he has a test century. Years ago I thought he had the capability to bat as high at seven in the test team.

Could this be a good time to try something different with the Australian line up? We have gotten nothing from the #3 and #4 batting positions so far this series, yet we are still level with the best team in the world.

I am thinking we should look at...


1. D. Warner
2. E. Cowan
3. S. Watson
4. M. Clarke *
5. M. Hussey
6. M. Wade +
7. M. Johnson
8. P. Siddle
9. M. Starc
10. B. Hilfenhaus
11. N. Lyon

Might be slight overkill on the bowling front, but it will relieve the pressure on the four front liners, and also mean that Watson will be able to be used sparingly.

 

[Red]

The alternative is to play Hastings, who is in cracking form with bat and ball...

1. D. Warner
2. E. Cowan
3. S. Watson
4. M. Clarke *
5. M. Hussey
6. M. Wade +
7. J. Hastings
8. M. Johnson
9. P. Siddle
10. B. Hilfenhaus
11. N. Lyon

 

[Red]

al rounder. Oops

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Bat Johnson at 3 if Watson is still unfit, can't do worse than Quiney.

 

[Viscount Tom]

And he'll probably run out fewer team mates too.

 

[hendrix]

You could afford to leave out Hilfenhaus or Starc for a batsman if Watson also bowls.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Calling Johnson a bowling all rounder is like calling Harbhajan or Gillespie or Akram bowling all rounders too..in the case of the latter two - they both have double centuries.

I would never go with 5 specialist batsmen..

If Pattinson is not playing, then you give Starc a go.
If Siddle is being rested, then you might consider Mitch.

 

[ankitj]

Isn't Peter Siddle the best all rounder Australia has produced?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Haven't followed Oz domestic stuff at all this year, but hadn't Johnson's test batting jumped off a cliff before he got the arse from the XI?

 

[benchmark00]

I just honestly can't believe the selectors have gone with Johnson. I actually thought and hoped Australian cricket had turned a corner.

I'm as flat as a biscuit after hearing he's been recalled to the squad.

 

[Top_Cat]

But he took 4-fa against Tassie!

Went for almost 4/over and Bird took 7 but hey.

 

[uvelocity]

yeah same, but you lose 4 bowlers in a few months, and it's the waca v saf and I think it's the only choice

hopefully its hilf/siddle/starc/lyon and he can **** back off anyway

 

[Justo]

He's still struggled to take domestic wickets at the WACA this year though. I think the recent additions to squad are all round quite poor compared to some of the other options available.

I am hoping both Siddle and Hilfy are fit even though I don't think both have been all that great so far this series and would have replaced at least one with someone else if in a position to do so.

 

[uvelocity]

what are the options? with 4 blokes down we will be considering playing our 8th in line seamer at the waca, which is either haze or johnson. outside of that you've got dougeh who has been out of favour and averaging 30, copes who finished off last season like a busted and only played 3 games or someone else uncapped and have the most inexperienced lineup since forever in the biggest match we've had in forever

 

[benchmark00]

what are the options? with 4 blokes down we will be considering playing our 8th in line seamer at the waca, which is either haze or johnson. outside of that you've got dougeh who has been out of favour and averaging 30, copes who finished off last season like a busted and only played 3 games or someone else uncapped and have the most inexperienced lineup since forever in the biggest match we've had in forever

Honestly Johnson would be the last state seam bowler in the country I would select.

He will actively cost us during the match, not just be ineffective.

Would've preferred Moises.

 

[uvelocity]

well I reckon if watson wasn't fit playing moises instead of quiney considering his current form would be a good call

 

[Spikey]

Can't believe no-one has said:

"Let's focus on MJ being anything other than a **** first"

 

[uvelocity]

maybe they just want a quick net bowler and are implementing the rest hilf and sids from the nets policy

 

[benchmark00]

maybe they just want a quick net bowler and are implementing the rest hilf and sids from the nets policy

They are doing that ftr.

Horse and Siddle won't bowl a ball until the next test.

 

[uvelocity]

what if they do bonding at the local AMF