India Buckle Under Mitchell Johnson Force in Gabba
Indian bowlers tried to intimidate him with bouncers and words. Mitchell Johnson hit back with 88. Just when it looked he had had the last say in the matter, the Aussie speedster hit back with four wickets in the second innings to help his side win the 2nd Test.
India paid a big prize in Gabba for sledging Mitchell Johnson. MSD's men sledged him with short balls on day 3 and were answered with some explosive batting cameo. That was followed by an incisive spell of fast bowling on Saturday, eventually putting an end to India's resistance in Brisbane.
When Mitchell Johnson walked out to bat on day 3, scales were tilted in India's favour. Dhoni and company led by 161 runs and needed just 4 wickets to end the Aussie innings. But India's strategy to bounce out Mitch backfired as he scored 88 off 93 balls, setting up a 148 run seventh wicket partnership with Steve Smith. His pugnacious batting helped Australia to a 97 run lead. Australian skipper Steve Smith said, "That wasn't too wise to bowl short balls at him. Mitchell Johnson as was always the Mr Reliable."
And that wasn't all. Then came Johnson the bowler, who turned the game on its head on Saturday. In the space of 11 balls, Mitch took 3/10 as India's middle order imploded. He eventually snared four wickets for 61.
It was in Gabba that Johnson began his terror tactics last year as he picked up 9 of the 37 wickets in the Summer's Ashes at this venue. In 6 Tests at Gabba, Johnson has managed 30 wickets at 23 runs apiece.
This has been a phenomenal year for Mitchell Johnson. With 43 wickets in 8 Tests, he is Australia's top wicket-taker. The ICC Cricketer of the Year may have taken time to come to the party but on Saturday he made sure that Australia continued its formidable record at Brisbane where they are yet to lose a Test since 1988.