Tag Ashes 2010-11 3rd-Ashes-test-2010

They called him once in a generation bowler and as rookies who aften manage to mesmerise the world, his career too started on a high note but soon, celebrity tag dissolved his motivation in other directions before being dropped for the first time hin his career..

He's Mitchell Johnson, Australia's pace spearhead on whom home team's ambitions of reclaiming ashes depends during current 2010-11 series. Johnson was unimpressive in first test at Brisbane and desperate selectors rested him from second test at Adelaide, making him work on his skills. Result? Mitchell found what he's never in his life = banana swing, bringing the ball in to right handers and taking it away from left handers. In fact, this left arm seamer was never a swinger of cricket ball but just a strong young man who bowled awkward deliveries batters failed to negotiate but in this third test match at Perth, Johnson surprized England top order on second morning and turned the fortunes around. here's how the story began :-

Scorecard : 3rd Ashes test 2010.

Knowing pitch at Perth is one of the fastest in the world and hence bowlers enjoy condition on first morning, England captain Andrew Strauss asked Australia to bat first and soon his new ball bowlers ate up 5 wickets for just 69 runs on board. In-form Michael Hussey managed to raise 68 runs stand with wicket keeper Brad Haddin but Graeme Swann saparated them and soon, Aussie first innings was folded up inside 76 overs for 268.

England openers had to negotiate 12 overs before stumps which they did successfully.

On day 2, Johnson was called up to bowl after first half an hour and he conceeded a four each of his first two overs before Alastair Cook edged an away going delivery to give him first wicket of the series. Next over, Jonathan Trott was trapped cluelessly in front of wicket to an inswinger and couple of balls later, same happened to Kevin Pietersen. Review was asked for but Johnson's banana swing had well and truly given the biggest boost to Australia so far of the series.

Mitchell Johnson rarely clocked higher 140kmph speed but he was concentrating on maintaining his line and swing which created enough pressure for Ryan Harris to dismiss steadily going Andrew Strauss from other end before Johnson swing another one in and whole WACA ground appealled. Umpire said not out but review sent Paul Collingwood packing.

Ian Bell and Matt Prior added 47, trying to redirect their falling innings but soon home team wrapped them up inside 63 overs, taking a lead of 81, miraculously.

Australia's second innings lost three wickets quickly but Michael Hussey once again provided the stability, pairing up with opener Shane Watson for 113 runs and taking his team's lead past 200 run mark exactly at stumps on day 2.

Aussies fetched quick runs next morning and despite career best 5 for 87 by Chris Tremlett, home team managed to set a stiff target of 391 for the visitors which they never really challenged, losing the game by healthy margin of 267 runs.