Sporting icons : Mitchell Johnson - Explosive Fast bowling Aussie superstar , Career HLs & video

 

Mitchell Johnson born November 2 1981 , one of the most feared fast bowlers of his generation, is celebrated for his raw pace, bounce, and ability to turn matches single-handedly with his aggressive style. Known for his explosive spells and intimidating presence, Johnson left an indelible mark on international cricket, particularly with his memorable Ashes series performances.

Style of Play

Bowling: As a left-arm fast bowler, Johnson consistently clocked speeds over 150 km/h, with his slingy action generating steep bounce and late swing. His ability to bowl deadly bouncers and attack the batsman relentlessly made him a formidable opponent, especially on Australian pitches.

Batting: Johnson was an aggressive lower-order batsman, known for his powerful hitting. Although primarily a bowler, he contributed with valuable runs in crucial situations and scored several half-centuries in Test matches.

Fielding: Johnson was an agile fielder, often positioned in the outfield or gully, where he took impressive catches and showed strong throwing accuracy.

Career Highlights

Test Career (2007–2015)

Matches: 73

Wickets: 313

Bowling Average: 28.40

Best Bowling Figures: 8/61

Johnson’s Test career was marked by some unforgettable spells, particularly during the 2013–14 Ashes series, where he claimed 37 wickets in just 5 matches, terrorizing the English batsmen.

He also recorded 12 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket match hauls in his Test career.

Johnson’s batting was impactful, with 2,065 runs at an average of 22.20, including 1 century and 11 fifties.

ODI Career (2005–2015)

Matches: 153

Wickets: 239

Bowling Average: 25.26

Johnson played a key role in Australia’s ODI setup, including their 2015 Cricket World Cup victory, where his pace made a significant impact.

He also contributed with the bat, often scoring quickly at the end of innings.

T20I Career (2007–2014)

Matches: 30

Wickets: 38

Bowling Average: 20.97

Johnson's pace made him a valuable asset in T20 internationals, where his short bursts often broke partnerships.

First-Class Career

Johnson’s first-class career includes 168 matches, taking 632 wickets at an average of 29.28. His domestic performances with Queensland were essential to his rise in international cricket.

IPL Career

Johnson played in the Indian Premier League for franchises like Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, where he was known for his fierce bowling. His best season came in 2017 with the Mumbai Indians, helping them win the championship.

Notable Bowling Spells

1. 2013–14 Ashes, Adelaide: Johnson took 7/40, one of his most memorable spells, intimidating the English lineup with pace and bounce . He completely ripped apart the strong England batting with his explosive spell that set up the Ashes that year . Johnson took 37 wickets in that series .

2. 2014  South African Test Johannesburg: Johnson bowled probably his best and the most explosive fast bowling spell seen in cricket taking  7/68 in the first innings with some searing deliveries abd followed up with 5/59 in the 2nd that destroyed the Proteas batting and set up the series win for Australia 

3. 2008 vs South Africa, Perth: Johnson claimed 8/61 and troubled the South African batsmen, making it his career-best figures in Tests.

4. 2015 World Cup Final: Johnson took 3/30 against New Zealand, helping Australia secure the title.

Legacy

Mitchell Johnson’s legacy is as one of the most intimidating fast bowlers of the modern era. His 2013–14 Ashes series alone stands as a testament to his ability to change the course of matches with a single spell. His aggressive approach and exceptional pace revived Australia’s tradition of producing world-class fast bowlers, inspiring young players to embrace the role of a pace spearhead. His fearless performances on the world stage have left a lasting impact on Australian cricket.

In the below video , watch Johnson bowl his most explosive spell at Johannesburg vs South Africa  in 2014 taking 12 wickets .