[Watch] Throwback to when former Indian pacer David Johnson clocked speed of 157.8 km/hr against Australia in 1996
Former Indian pacer David Johnson was one of the first bowlers from the country to break the 150 km/hr speed barrier. During his Indian debut, the right-arm pacer clocked an incredible speed of 157.8 km/hr against Australia in Delhi in 1996 and picked up the wicket of opener Michael Slater for a duck.
After going wicketless in his four-over spell in the first innings, Johnson removed Slater off his first over in the second innings. The delivery was full and wide outside off-stump but moved away in the air to induce the outside edge from Slater for Mohammad Azharuddin to pull off a sensational one-handed catch at first slip.
Here is a video of the thunderbolt from Johnson:
After India took a first-innings lead of 179, Johnson's wicket set the ball rolling for the hosts in the second innings as Australia were bowled out for only 234. India completed their run-chase of 56 with seven wickets in hand to emerge victorious in the one-off Test against Australia.
Johnson finished with impressive figures of 1/40 in 12 overs in the second innings of what turned out to also be his last home Test for India. The Karnataka-born speedster played only one other Test in his career during India's tour of South Africa later that year.
David Johnson died at 52 today
Unfortunately, the cricketing world has been mourning the death of David Johnson at 52 in Bengaluru on Thursday, June 20. The pacer was among the most promising prospects from India in the mid-1990s, thanks to his excellent domestic record.
Johnson picked up match figures of 10/152 against Kerala in the 1995-96 Ranji season for Karnataka, subsequently earning national selection. However, he picked only 3 wickets in his two-Test career at an average of 47.66.
Johnson's second and final Test against South Africa in Durban saw him pick up two wickets in the first innings despite India's massive 328-run defeat. Inconsistencies in his performances and bowling spells meant his international career never resumed after 1996.
Nevertheless, Johnson continued enjoying success at the first-class level, finishing with 125 wickets at an average of under 29, including eight five-wicket hauls in 39 outings. The pacer also bagged 41 scalps in his 33-match List-A career at an economy of under 4.70.
Several former cricketers, including Anil Kumble and Gautam Gambhir, offered their condolences to David Johnson on his passing through their social media handles.