Ponting to be tested over Johnson’s poor form
November 29th, 2010 - 2:06 pm ICT by ANIBrisbane (Australia), Nov.29 (ANI): Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting could face an intriguing test of loyalty when it comes to left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who has been in poor form with the ball.
According to news.com.au, Johnson’s struggles with the ball have become so acute that he seems to have lost confidence. He is already sapped by match figures of 0-131 from 33 overs, he risks going wicketless for the first time in his 39-Test career.
Ponting is famed for his pick-and-stick mentality, standing by Andrew Symonds and Marcus North in the recent past.
Will he do the same with Johnson? That is the question upper most in the minds of Australian cricket connoisseurs and fans.
The past four days at the Gabba’s Vodafone Ashes Test have laid bare the demons lurking within Johnson.
He suddenly appears uneasy with his place in the Australian side.
He was off-colour with 0-66 in England’s first innings….
On Sunday, Johnson must have felt like crawling into a hole when, at mid-off, he dropped Andrew Strauss on 69, allowing the England skipper to power to his 19th Test ton.
But the more pressing problem is Johnson’s flagging confidence levels.
He bowled with venom in his first spell on Sunday, but when the breakthrough never came the left-armer looked fragile after lunch and incapable of providing the lethal wicket-taking deliveries that make him so feared on his day.
Ponting knows Johnson, shy and introverted by nature, lacks the fire of a Merv Hughes and the unshakeable confidence of Glenn McGrath.
He has invested in Johnson’s match-winning qualities, but on current form the national selectors could mount a genuine case to axe him for the next showdown in Adelaide.
Johnson’s figures in this Test spotlight the conundrum. From his past five Tests, the 29-year-old has taken just 11 wickets at a worrying 55.36. (ANI)
- Johnson, Hilfenhaus under threat as Oz recall Bollinger, Harris for Adelaide Ashes Test - Nov 29, 2010
- Ashes: Ex-selector Hughes says Johnson should not be dropped - Dec 01, 2010
- Oz flop-show at Gabba may force bowling changes for second Ashes Test: Nielsen - Nov 30, 2010
- 'On fire' Johnson dramatically swings Perth Test back in Australia's favour - Dec 17, 2010
- Ashes: Ponting believes Johnson spell could set up series - Dec 20, 2010
- Vaughan: Cocky England took foot off the gas at Perth - Dec 20, 2010
- Johnson dropped from Australian XI for second Ashes Test? - Dec 01, 2010
- Johnson is the world's best bowler: Ponting - Dec 31, 2009
- Ponting confirms 'poor form' behind Johnson's axing for second Ashes Test - Dec 02, 2010
- Oz bowling attack is the worst in 30 years: Thomson - Dec 02, 2010
- Strauss has no technical flaw against left arm pacers: Flower - Jun 09, 2011
- Doubts arise over Johnson's ability to cope on 'away' wickets - Jul 25, 2010
- I have the form to rattle South Africa: Johnson - Oct 06, 2011
- Oz provincial side selector says struggling Ponting should bat lower down - Dec 15, 2010
- Aussies place Kiwis on backfoot, hosts battling to draw Hamilton Test - Mar 30, 2010
Tags: andrew strauss, Andrew Symonds, armer, ashes test, australian cricket captain, brisbane australia, captain ricky, confidence levels, england skipper, first spell, gabba, glenn mcgrath, merv hughes, mitchell johnson, national selectors, news com au, test career, test of loyalty, wicket, wickets