Come in spinner: Mitchell Johnson urges Australia to play three tweakers against Pakistan
HE was a staunch member of several fast-bowling cartels during his career but Mitchell Johnson insists the current Test side must sway from the “Australian mentality” and turn to spin.
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FAST bowling great Mitchell Johnson has made the shock declaration that Australia must play three spinners if they want to compete against Pakistan in the UAE.
The bold plan would go against nearly all of Australia’s usual inclinations, particularly given it would leave prized commodity Mitchell Starc out on his own as the only quick with a full summer still on the horizon.
But as much as he’s delighted to see his old partner Peter Siddle back in Test cricket, personal experience has told Johnson – who has signed on to join Fox Cricket’s boom commentary team – that the UAE is a fast bowling wasteland.
Johnson believes Steve Smith overbowled Australia’s quicks last summer, potentially contributing to their injuries this year, and is conscious of Starc’s workloads against Pakistan.
However, he says if Australia are taking the conditions seriously, it will have to be spin triplets Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland and Ashton Agar and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh taking the heat off Starc.
“No disrespect to Steve … it was just a learning experience … but I think he probably bowled the quicks a bit too much at times and they definitely burnt out,” said Johnson.
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“I think we’ve seen that with a couple of the injuries. But he had guys who were bowling well so it’s hard to use your spinners and I think that’s our Australian mentality as well. We love bowling quicks.
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“We just need to get used to bowling in conditions we face and the UAE definitely needs three spinners.
“Going on the last tour, the wickets were really flat.
“I think you’d probably play Starc obviously, get him into the summer, and then Mitch Marsh bowling a few overs.
“But I think three spinners are going to be key over there.”
On the corresponding tour in 2014, Johnson topped the wicket-taking tally over two Test matches with six scalps, but outside of his efforts, the rest of the bowlers were dismal – with Smith (3) finishing with a bigger haul than Siddle and Starc (2 apiece).
It was Lyon’s worst ever series, but he has improved markedly in Asian conditions since then and is eyeing off breaking Johnson’s record of 313 Test wickets.
Johnson said captain Tim Paine had a critical job to play in using Starc’s pace as a potential game-breaker, while not over-bowling him.
“Tim Paine will have to work with those guys to rotate because you can’t drive (the quicks) into the ground with a big summer coming up,” he said.
“But at the same time it’s another game for your country. You’ve got to give your all but be a bit smarter about it.”
Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch are in the best shape of their careers having trimmed down significantly over recent months.
Johnson, one of the fittest athletes to ever play for Australia, says Justin Langer’s attention to detail with player preparation will help Khawaja and Finch get the most out of their ability with the bat.
“I know he’d be training them hard but if that’s the standard it shows the younger guys who are coming through that you need to be on top of your game,” said Johnson.
“I think it’s great what he’s doing. It’s sending a message. Usman and Finchy will obviously realise they need to be at their best physically to get a chance to play for Australia and do it well. Hopefully it helps their performances. I think it will.”
Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett*, Aaron Finch*, Travis Head*, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne*, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser*, Matt Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.
* denotes new cap
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