The best of Mitch - 5 Best spells Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson has seemingly turned over a new leaf in the ongoing Ashes series. With 16 wickets in 3 innings, Johnson has started on the right track in writing his name into Ashes folklore. What started off as a reasonable morning for England turned into a nightmare thanks to a spell of devastation from Johnson. Here is a look at 5 outstanding spells that Johnson has bowled in his career so far, in no particular order(ODIs included)

1. 6/38 vs England at Perth, 2010

Mitchell Johnson

After he had made 62 in the first innings to take Australia to a respectable 268, Mitchell Johnson came out all guns blazing in the searing sunshine at the WACA. His control over reverse-swing proved to be a menace for the England batsmen, and provided Australia a rare high in an otherwise forgettable Ashes series. In one spell of devastation, Johnson destroyed the backbone of the English batting line-up, sending Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Paul Collingwood back to the pavilion. It proved to be a match-winning spell, as a Mike Hussey century, and a Ryan Harris 6-for in the second innings ensured Australia won the test at the WACA and came back in the series, though the joy was short-lived.

2. 8/61 v South Africa at Perth, 2008

Mitchell Johnson

Johnson seems to have a liking for the WACA, doesn’t he? This spell against South Africa, was as good as you could see a bowler use the old ball. After Australia had made 375 in the first innings, South Africa were cruising along at 234/3, when Johnson decided to intervene. In the next 20 balls, he had figures of 5 wickets for 2 runs, as the star-studded South African batsmen had no answer to his pacy, late-swinging deliveries.

When you get Kallis, de Villiers and Duminy in the space of 20 balls, you’ve achieved something special, haven’t you?