Johnsons batting

[GVGjr]

In his brief test career he has shown a bit of ability to become a bowling all-rounder. Some of his shots remind me a bit of Wasim Akram who was a dangerous number 8 when switched on. I don't think Johnson has the same attacking flair that Akram's batting possessed but hopefully he can become a consistent batter at number 8 and work with the top order.

[ledge]

Re: Johnsons batting

At the rate the top order is going he will be opening soon with Katich!
What top order? Dont you just mean Ponting? ; )

[azabob]

Re: Johnsons batting

At the rate the top order is going he will be opening soon with Katich!
What top order? Dont you just mean Ponting? ; )

Think we are forgetting M Clarke has had a fairly good summer against both NZ and South Africa. It has been either him or Ponting making the runs

[ledge]

Re: Johnsons batting

Clarke i wouldnt consider top order, he is middle.
But i agree he has certainly matured and made good scores under pressure, i like his batting but his bowling should be retired.

[GVGjr]

Re: Johnsons batting

Clarke i wouldnt consider top order, he is middle.
But i agree he has certainly matured and made good scores under pressure, i like his batting but his bowling should be retired.

I probably should have been a bit clearer but the way I intended the question was more about Johnson's ability to bat with one of the established guys ie 1 to 6/7.
A good number 8 or 9 can go a long way to helping build a big score. They don't necessarily have to make a big score themselves but if they can stick around and work with one of the established guys, they are invaluable.

[Happy Days]

Re: Johnsons batting

How far off is he from being considered a genuine all-rounder?

[dog town]

Re: Johnsons batting

How far off is he from being considered a genuine all-rounder?

A fair way off. He needs to improve his average by about 15 or so. He is a bloody handy lower order player though. He is a bit like Daniel Vettori in a lot of ways.

[ledge]

Re: Johnsons batting

Siddle isnt doing too bad with the bat either, one of the aussies strengths over the last 20 years has been the bowlers being able to bat.

[lemmon]

Re: Johnsons batting

Jesus he hits the ball hard, not much footwork or finesse involved its a very simple see ball hit ball technique. A little bit of Flintoff perhaps?

[Mantis]

Re: Johnsons batting

I think in another thread I discussed that Johnson had progressed ahead of Lee (when fit) in the batting order. He showed in this innings that this thought is probably on the money.

I think Johnson has the ability to average 25-30 over his career with the bat which is very handy for a guy coming in at no.8. (He is averaging 25.32 at present)

Putting it into perspective our two most recent no 8's have been Shane Warne who averaged 17.32 & Lee who average is 20.12.

[ledge]

Re: Johnsons batting

Now that surprises me i always thought Warne was a heap better bat than Lee.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Johnsons batting

Now that surprises me i always thought Warne was a heap better bat than Lee.

Once Warne made it past double figures he was great, terrible at start of innings. I think its Warne who has the most test ducks just ahead of McGrath.

[mighty_west]

Re: Johnsons batting

Mitch has a very good batting technique, hits that ball hard, but also watches the ball closely which alot of lower order batsmen don't do, he already has two test half centuries, and won't be too long before he notches up his first century.

He will be a much better bat than the likes of Warne & Lee, also has a deadly arm in the field.

One thing that fat clown Botham said was that the Aussies have no one coming through with the ball, well, he obviously hasn't watched too much of Mitch Johnson......or Siddle for that matter, he also impresses me with the ball, and can bat a bit as well.

[hujsh]

Re: Johnsons batting

Once Warne made it past double figures he was great, terrible at start of innings. I think its Warne who has the most test ducks just ahead of McGrath.

I think it might be neither. Pretty sure it's Walsh

[mighty_west]

Re: Johnsons batting

I think it might be neither. Pretty sure it's Walsh

Certaintly is Walsh, with 43.

http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283087.html