Johnson unfairly maligned ?

[Xuhaib]

In terms of value he's a better cricketer then Anderson, Zaheer and Morkel over their entire careers as he averages almost similar to them with the ball and contributes more with the bat. I know he has enjoyed a period where he would pick wickets with rubbish balls but then its not his fault that batsman get out to ordinary deliveries. Its better to be **** and lucky rather been **** and unlucky *cough*Ishant, Sami*cough*.

I think a lot of his hatred comes from the 2009 Ashes where he was labelled as Australia's major weapon and he failed to turn up and practically cost the Ashes.

[benchmark00]

Gotta be kidding me.

[Viscount Tom]

Not sure if serious or Kohli_fan

[Valer]

I've got my popcorn ready.

Seriously tho, the reason people hate him is he hasn't had a serious string of tests where he turned up as oposed to Anderson (and to a lesser extent Zaheer). Morkel, I really don't think hes ever been rated other than just looking good. I also think mental weakness is not seen as a good excuse. Lee would be another intresting comparision.

[robelinda]

Has matches where shows up and looks great, then follows it up with 10 tests where he bowls on a pitch 10 metres away from the test pitch, and slogs the 2nd ball he faces and gets clean bowled like a 1970's #11.

Also, see Lords 2009. Most embarrassing bowling effort since Chris Matthews in 1988 at the Gabba.

[Monk]

I still maintain he could be a genuine all-rounder.

Once Hussey retires, move Wade to 6 and have Johnson at 7.

I know many will disagree, but the **** can bat (better than he can bowl sometimes)...

[Spikey]

i'd rather just pick a proper all-rounder (possibly that shane watson guy)

[Monk]

i'd rather just pick a proper all-rounder (possibly that shane watson guy)

Having two could be handy, eh? Especially one who bowls 140k left armers with a knack of taking wickets in patches...

And if he bowls ****, there's still four other front liners, plus Watto.

All dependant on whether he could hold his spot as a number 7 batsman, and whether Wade can be consistent enough at 6. I think both have the ability.

[Ruckus]

I still maintain he could be a genuine all-rounder.

Once Hussey retires, move Wade to 6 and have Johnson at 7.

I know many will disagree, but the **** can bat (better than he can bowl sometimes)...

Na I don't buy he can bat anymore than he can bowl. In both areas he has shown tremendous promise, but failed to deliver consistently. Reckon his batting is just as much affected by his confidence as his bowling.

If the guy manned up a little he would be a pretty awesome cricketer, but he just doesn't have it in him. He's had his time, and shouldn't be given another extended run if the selectors know what their doing.

[wellAlbidarned]

No-one had a problem with him when he bowled crap and took wickets. It's that recently he's bowled crap and not taken wickets, more often than not.

[Hurricane]

I remember his debut. The commentators said Dennis Lillee was high on him and that he hit the back of the net real hard.

There was real hype around him.

[Debris]

Having two could be handy, eh? Especially one who bowls 140k left armers with a knack of taking wickets in patches...

And if he bowls ****, there's still four other front liners, plus Watto.

All dependant on whether he could hold his spot as a number 7 batsman, and whether Wade can be consistent enough at 6. I think both have the ability.

Actually, I think history shows that all-rounders are mostly useless. Their secondary skill almost never proves a factor in selecting them so you only pick them if they can hold a place in the side with their primary skill ie. Kallis is a batsman, Imran Khan is a bowler, Watson is a batsman, etc. The time-tested theory of picking 6 batsmen, wicket-keeper and 4 bowlers always holds true.

[LongHopCassidy]

Actually, I think history shows that all-rounders are mostly useless. Their secondary skill almost never proves a factor in selecting them so you only pick them if they can hold a place in the side with their primary skill ie. Kallis is a batsman, Imran Khan is a bowler, Watson is a batsman, etc. The time-tested theory of picking 6 batsmen, wicket-keeper and 4 bowlers always holds true.

Sup.

[Daemon]

[Debris]

Sup.

Bowler