First of all, let me start my saying that Mitchell Johnson was a shít bowler when he was a Queenslander. Now that he’s a Western Australian however, he’s freaking awesome, and it’s ok to have “movement at the station” when he bowls a particularly good spell.
Such as the one he just bowled. Genuine pace, swing, smarts, and a boner south of the equator. One of the best spells I’ve ever seen. Here’s some quotes from the cricinfo coverage:
6.55 pm: Ten overs ago, South Africa were cruising on 234 for 3 with de Villiers and Kallis batting with ease. They were picking off the singles, hitting the bad balls for four, and gradually reducing the distance to Australia’s total of 375. Then Ricky Ponting threw the ball to Johnson and everything changed.
Johnson’s last spell today was 5 overs, 2 maidens, 5/5. His overall figures are 7/42! He’ll open with the first over tomorrow morning, and with Steyn on strike and Boucher at the non-strikers end, he’s odds on to improve on these already amazing figures. Here’s some footage of the wickets so far
Mitchell Johnson – Best figures as a Queenslander: 5/39
Best figures as a Western Australian: 7/42 and still going!
He’s given Australia a superb advantage in this game, we’re looking at a solid 100+ first innings lead when an hour ago South Africa would have thought they’d be taking a lead.
Mind you, in the pub 90 minutes ago and some bloke said “Saffas are 3/180, we were 3/15″. My reply: “at least our tail can bat”