Mitchell Johnson

[Punk Rooster]

Is he the all-rounder the selectors so desperately crave?
His last 2 batting performances indicate "yes".
Ok, he may not (currently) be as valued as Kapil Dev/Richard Hadlee/Ian Botham/Freddy Flintoff, but his batting is improving, he is attacking with the bat, & his bowling is certainly of a quick Test-level standard.
I would be perservering with him as the "all-rounder", & bring in a recognised batsmen (D Hussey/M North) @ 6.
He was denied a half-century last Test, but was rewarded this time- thoroughly deserved & earnt. Also a huge reason why Australia didn;t lose a wicket in this morning's session of cricket- the first time this summer.

[Hondo]

I would be perservering with him as the "all-rounder", & bring in a recognised batsmen (D Hussey/M North) @ 6.

As I said in the other thread, it's the 5th bowler they are after rather than a bowler who bats, if that makes sense.

In other words, for your theory to work the side would have to be:

5 batsman
Haddin
5 bowlers (including Johnson as an "all-rounder")

My personal view is that I wouldn't want to see our next lead fast bowler distracted off on batting practice to become an "all rounder". I see him more as a bowler who can make a 50, and that's gold. As soon as you raise the expectation that he's a test number 7 you change his outlook and the expectations on him.

[RoosterMarty]

I completely agree Punk. He is our allrounder. Look at the way he has batted so far. We don't need to bring in a second rate player when we have this gun in the team.

[Punk Rooster]

so be it- bring in our next best quick then.
Let him develop at Test level as the 4th bowler.
The current selection of McDonald suggests we've tried to achieve both (batsman & bowler), yet achieved neither...

[bayman]

absolutely he is, he is definately developing the role of the all rounder (bye bye roy) his batting technique isn't majestic (no foot work) but his eye makes up for it

[Ambo72]

Exactly what the lads on ABC Radio were saying today!
20+ Test Innings with a Average in the 20's.
Deffinately deserving of that average, but doesnt reflect his true ability!!

[FD88]

Hey, he can bowl and he can bat which we struggle to get our all rounders to do. Lock him in and get another gun specialist batsmen in there.

[the big bang]

Is he the all-rounder the selectors so desperately crave?
His last 2 batting performances indicate "yes".
Ok, he may not (currently) be as valued as Kapil Dev/Richard Hadlee/Ian Botham/Freddy Flintoff, but his batting is improving, he is attacking with the bat, & his bowling is certainly of a quick Test-level standard.
I would be perservering with him as the "all-rounder", & bring in a recognised batsmen (D Hussey/M North) @ 6.
He was denied a half-century last Test, but was rewarded this time- thoroughly deserved & earnt. Also a huge reason why Australia didn;t lose a wicket in this morning's session of cricket- the first time this summer.

he made 50 in the last test didnt he?

[Hondo]

Hey, he can bowl and he can bat which we struggle to get our all rounders to do. Lock him in and get another gun specialist batsmen in there.

You're missing the point. If he's the all-rounder then you bring in another bowler.

Mitch would have to bat 7. I still ask why? He's a good bat but that's suddenly a very long tail.

Easier option is just call him a bowler and pick your 6 batsman.

[FD88]

Hey, he can bowl and he can bat which we struggle to get our all rounders to do. Lock him in and get another gun specialist batsmen in there.

You're missing the point. If he's the all-rounder then you bring in another bowler.

Mitch would have to bat 7. I still ask why? He's a good bat but that's suddenly a very long tail.

Easier option is just call him a bowler and pick your 6 batsman.

Well yeah that's more or less what I meant. He can just stay where he is, give us the all rounder-type contribution and we bring in the extra batsman.

[hearts on fire]

Is he the all-rounder the selectors so desperately crave?
His last 2 batting performances indicate "yes".
Ok, he may not (currently) be as valued as Kapil Dev/Richard Hadlee/Ian Botham/Freddy Flintoff, but his batting is improving, he is attacking with the bat, & his bowling is certainly of a quick Test-level standard.
I would be perservering with him as the "all-rounder", & bring in a recognised batsmen (D Hussey/M North) @ 6.
He was denied a half-century last Test, but was rewarded this time- thoroughly deserved & earnt. Also a huge reason why Australia didn;t lose a wicket in this morning's session of cricket- the first time this summer.

Completely agree!!!

[Dutchy]

still got plenty of work to do on his bowling IMO to be a regular at this level

[Punk Rooster]

still got plenty of work to do on his bowling IMO to be a regular at this level

he was the main wicket taker at the WACA by the length of the Flemington Straight.
He's no McGrath, or Sturt Clark, but he is a Test-standard bowler.

[Dutchy]

still got plenty of work to do on his bowling IMO to be a regular at this level

he was the main wicket taker at the WACA by the length of the Flemington Straight.
He's no McGrath, or Sturt Clark, but he is a Test-standard bowler.

He is developing well, dont get me wrong, but had one good test match and due to other circumstances he is now being trust forward as our No. 1 bowler...IMO he is still very much developing and I reckon he would admit that

[wycbloods]

still got plenty of work to do on his bowling IMO to be a regular at this level

he was the main wicket taker at the WACA by the length of the Flemington Straight.
He's no McGrath, or Sturt Clark, but he is a Test-standard bowler.

He is developing well, dont get me wrong, but had one good test match and due to other circumstances he is now being trust forward as our No. 1 bowler...IMO he is still very much developing and I reckon he would admit that

Agreed he has a long way to go to really lead the attack but geez he would've been a handy 4th bowler in the warne, mcgrath era. I don't think he is good enough to be a test no 6 or 7 but he is a very good no 8 and IMO that is where he should stay.

[CoverKing]

I personally would not mind having Haddin at 6 Johnson at 7 and then have the chance to play thatother quick that we have wanted for a while. When lee (if he does) comes back he could bat 8 and yes it will be a longish tail but i would hope that our tail can keep wagging a bit, but more importantly bowl sides out and get 20 wickets every game. This would also allow johnson to be our 3rd/4th strike bowler, i think this would be a good way too go, or eve, n a traditional 6batsman/keeper/4 bowlers and then if one of ur best batsman can bowl that will be a bonus.

[stan]

Johnson is good with the bat yes, but I would consider him more as a bowler that bats rather than an allrounder. You see We need his main game (his bowling) to fire more often than not.

[locky801]

Nothing from RR on this as yet, perhaps he is on holidays, this is a cricketer(Johnno) that has in 12 months come on in leaps and bounds. A number of us had a real go in his first few tests about his bowling. Well he has made most of us eat our words. I also remember he just came in to bat he went the heave ho, way to go and had as much success as Freo, now he comes in and actually plays some classic shots. He is the best thing at the minute close to being an allrounder but he has to take some blind catches in the slips first But seriously I can see him taking bucket loads of wickets and even scoring the occasional ton, yes he is an allrounder

[rod_rooster]

Nothing from RR on this as yet, perhaps he is on holidays, this is a cricketer(Johnno) that has in 12 months come on in leaps and bounds. A number of us had a real go in his first few tests about his bowling. Well he has made most of us eat our words. I also remember he just came in to bat he went the heave ho, way to go and had as much success as Freo, now he comes in and actually plays some classic shots. He is the best thing at the minute close to being an allrounder but he has to take some blind catches in the slips first But seriously I can see him taking bucket loads of wickets and even scoring the occasional ton, yes he is an allrounder

Probably because i haven't really made up my mind to be honest. I think he is just best left batting at 8 where he can concentrate on his bowling yet still contribute some handy runs and stays at the crease. He is still emerging as a Test cricketer and it's only by default that he is currently our number 1 bowler. As handy as he is with the bat and as much as i think he will only get better i can't see him ever being used any higher than number 8. I pretty much agree with what stan said.

[RoosterMarty]

There is no need to bat Johnson any higher. Just because he is pretty much as good as any "allrounder" we have doesn't mean he should bat at 6 or 7. Leave him at 8 and let him concentrate on his bowling and he will give us handy runs and strengthen the tail.