Mitch Johnson will pip Wasim Akram and become most successful LH bowler - Waqar

[Savak]

Mitch Johnson will pip Wasim Akram and become most successful left-arm bowler, according to Waqar Younis

* Ben Dorries, Hobart
* From: Herald Sun
* January 13, 2010 12:00AM



PAKISTAN pace legend Waqar Younis says Mitchell Johnson will eventually surge past Wasim Akram to become Test cricket's most successful left-arm fast bowler.

Waqar said he had "no doubt" that the Australian strike weapon would exceed Akram's 414 wickets before his Test career was over.

Johnson, 28, has taken 142 Test wickets from 31 Tests at 51.88 - superior to Akram's career strike rate of 54.65.

"Nobody is better than Wasim but I have no doubt that if Johnson stays fit he will take more than 400 Test wickets, maybe a fair bit more," Waqar said.

"Johnson's record is superb and I think it shows he will have a great Test career.

"He is probably at his best right now but there is no reason he can't play for another five or six years, which will means he will take a lot of Test wickets."

Johnson needs only 45 wickets to beat Alan Davison (186 Test wickets) as Australia's most successful left-arm quick.

He will then have only Akram and fellow left-armers Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas (355) and Indian quick Zaheer Khan (220) ahead of him.

Johnson recovered from almost being dropped during last year's Ashes series to be the world's best-performed paceman with 63 Test wickets in 2009.

Despite no longer taking the new ball, Johnson said he was still the leader of an attack containing Peter Siddle (16 Tests) and Doug Bollinger (five Tests).

"I've played 30 games and some of the guys coming through now have only played a few so I feel that's my responsibility to speak to those guys about conditions and the guys that we are playing against," Johnson said.

"It's about showing guys on and off the field to go at 100 per cent and I guess speaking to the guys about knowledge that I now have about the game.

"Going through England was a good test for me and that helped me get to where I am now.

"Guys like Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee talk about peak age being around 27 or 28 or 29. I feel like I'm starting to get to know my game a hell of a lot better than I have in the past."

Waqar said Johnson's slinging action was "short and sweet" and often produce unplayable deliveries.

"There is no reason he can't hold onto it," he said.

"He is the best bowler in Australia since Brett Lee came onto the scene."

Link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cr...-1225818596160

Comments: Instead of wasting time with the Indians, I would love Wasim Akram to actually work with Mitchel Johnson, if Wasim can teach him the inswinger, there is no stopping Johnson from being the next Wasim Akram.

[Sledger]

With the amount of cricket being played these days its definately possible but I don't think he comes close to Wasim in terms of ability.

[Sohaib-789]

he is 1 decent bowler

[saadjhussain]

he will never have the class of wasim. wasim finished as a legend, johnson will finish as just another bowler.

[Stewie]

I dont think so. 414 wickets means he will have to play another 60 or so tests. That means he will have to play for the next 7 years at a significantly better strike rate. He may get to 350 odd but definitely less than 400.

[saqlain]

Johnson is a good bowler and his stats reflects how good he has been so far. The key in any sports is hard work and practice. More you practice better you are gonna get. Talent at this level is about the same for most quality players. Even players like Imran and Wasim didnt have bowling coaches but they worked hard in the nets and tried new things which worked. I am sure other bowlers can achieve the same by simply taking it serious.

As for as your comment is concern, i am not sure how Wasim is "wasting time with Indians". last time I checked he was paid top dollar so it is not a waste of time my friend.

[saqlain]

Originally Posted by saadjhussain he will never have the class of wasim. wasim finished as a legend, johnson will finish as just another bowler.

Ofcourse only time will tell but I am just curious what makes you so certain that MJ can not be liek Wasim???

I think if someone would have asked Wasim Akram10 years before his retirement from international cricket, I am not sure if many had said that he would be the legendary bowler. My point is that you can not just assume about someone's credentials until he is done. MJ has just started and if the fitness of Australian players any indicator I think he has a long way. Who knows where he will be when he will be retired.

[Oxy]

Wont happen. Fast bowlers are either dropping like flies or retiring fom test cricket to focus on IPL etc.

MJ will be no different....

[saqlain]

Originally Posted by Oxy Wont happen. Fast bowlers are either dropping like flies or retiring fom test cricket to focus on IPL etc. MJ will be no different....

Only time will tell.

[lil saeed anwar]

now thats rubbish talk , he CAN get that much wickets but i highly doubt him getting even close to 300. , Wasim akram is a legend ,
he has his own class, Johnson is just another regular bowler to me . all he has is pace.

[Sledger]

The one thing against him is his age, Johnson isn't a spring chicken and he'll have to become a much smarter bowler once he passes 30 because his pace will fall off at about 32-33.

[akafen]

Mitchell Johnson is a talented bowler, but his game lacks the intricacies that made Wasim Akram great.

The topic shouldn't be about Mitchell versus Wasim Akram but Mitchell Johnson vs. Mohammad Aamer.

Mohammad Aamer has a better upside, he's quick, he moves the ball more than Johnson, and he's way more accurate than him.

[Sohaib-789]

I would say wayne parnell is better than johnson but overall they are both world class bowlers and have godo careers ahead

[ads101]

But didn't akram make his debut at 19 while johnson at 26? And didn't wasim retire around 36 or something?

Hence I don't see how johnson will take more wickets than akram really as akram was better at a younger age. Plus that career average of Johnson is likely to go down when he veers the end of his career.

[Hooked _for_6]

Michell is the same guy who spent the India ODI series being smacked around so hard he had to be withdrawn from from some of the games.

And Mitchell is such a chicken that fearing being taken apart again "declined" to play in the IPL.

Wasim knew no such fear. And bowled much better against India in India. Also Wasim never had the chance to bowl against the collection of part-time batsman we call our top order!

[Cover Drive]

One big unjury which most of the fast bowler get today will make Johnson no where Wasim's stats

[wiseguy]

johnny boy is good but wasim is no1!!! a legend!!

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by ads101 But didn't akram make his debut at 19 while johnson at 26? And didn't wasim retire around 36 or something? Hence I don't see how johnson will take more wickets than akram really as akram was better at a younger age. Plus that career average of Johnson is likely to go down when he veers the end of his career.

thats why I said I dont think he will cross the 400 wicket mark.
350 at the most.

[Tay'yab-Ali Malik]

Wasim was equally devastating on flat subcontinent wickets with his ability to change the angles and reverse it around the wicket. Mitchell will need to improve his bowling on similar types of wicket otherwise I think he may not achieve the same success as wasim.

[bantu]

I think zaheer has the best chance to succeed wasim................ honest...........

[KA$H]

nonsense from waqar - should this be posted in his commentary thread?

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by bantu I think zaheer has the best chance to succeed wasim................ honest...........

I doubt it.

Zaheer is 31 years old. He needs to almost double his total to reach Wasim. I don't see that happening. He probably will end with 350ish.

Especially considering the fact that India doesn't play many tests.. purely because your board has some crush with the T20 format.

[truth]

If Umar Akmal can be the next Bradman with his current attitude why can'nt Johnson be Wasim

[bantu]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 I doubt it. Zaheer is 31 years old. He needs to almost double his total to reach Wasim. I don't see that happening. He probably will end with 350ish. Especially considering the fact that India doesn't play many tests.. purely because your board has some crush with the T20 format.

I think zaheer will end up 300 tops....thats it

[leggie786]

Whatever Johnson gets..i am sure Aamir will get more inshAllah....

[Nazir_ Rules]

Originally Posted by leggie786 Whatever Johnson gets..i am sure Aamir will get more inshAllah....

Inshallah! :aamir

[truth]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 I doubt it. Zaheer is 31 years old. He needs to almost double his total to reach Wasim. I don't see that happening. He probably will end with 350ish. Especially considering the fact that India doesn't play many tests.. purely because your board has some crush with the T20 format.

Wish some of the players from Indian Neighbors also do not have the Crush ................. and be safe considering the security aspect which was raised initially .........

[Savak]

Imagine Mitchel Johnson bowling 155 km/hr bannana inswingers. Will be lethal.

[90MPH]

I said before the start of the series that even even if Johnson bowls trash he keeps taking wickets. He may not swing the ball into the right handers, but his away swingers are lethal enough as batsmen are always lured into playing the ball away from the body.

Providing he stays fit he will get around 350 to 400 wickets.

[Nazir_ Rules]

Originally Posted by Savak Imagine Mitchel Johnson bowling 155 km/hr bannana inswingers. Will be lethal.

Abbay yaar lets not imagine right now while the pak series is happening otherwise you never know our batsmen will make his inswingers seem like their crazy good!

[kkmix]

Waqar says all the good things about the bowlers with round arm actions, because he had one too. but MJ can still get 400 but it wont be close to as good as wasim's 400 wickets, he has good keeper, fielders captian and batsmen....But if u talk n general I think Asif will take more wickets than johnson.

[cricketcrazy]

Waqar still pissed at Waseem ???

[Yaser]

Jinx thread ?

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Hooked _for_6 And Mitchell is such a chicken that fearing being taken apart again "declined" to play in the IPL.

Nakid post hai yeh

Prove it or be quiet child.

MJ may well pass Akram in terms of wickets, Wasim underachieved considering his talent. Won't get anywhere near his average though...

[coy0607]

Originally Posted by saadjhussain he will never have the class of wasim. wasim finished as a legend, johnson will finish as just another bowler.

agreed, he has nowhere near the talent as akram, but with the amount of test cricket the australians play now days (12+ tests a year) he should be able to get more wickets than akram

[itduzz]

Johnson fitness is better than Akram.

[Sledger]

All modern bowlers have better fitness than those of the 90s.

[the SHA]

When Johnson loses his pace will be the big test for him. That remains his biggest asset.

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by truth Wish some of the players from Indian Neighbors also do not have the Crush ................. and be safe considering the security aspect which was raised initially .........

It wasn't meant as an insult to India. Not sure why you guys get so sensitive all the time. Are you really going to defend the BCCI?

You know it's true that the BCCI loves T20 cricket and are thus alienating themselves from test cricket.

If it makes you feel any better.. the PCB is a piece of garbage as well.

[Saqs]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie Wasim underachieved considering his talent. Won't get anywhere near his average though...

Interesting point - he may have underachieved considering his godly talent, but he was also playing for Pakistan - where the slips cordon and most fielders would have dropped some catches off his bowling.

Had he played for an outfit like Waugh's Australia - then his stats might have been different.

Mitchell is fit, so he may just play enough games to get his 400 wickets. But then again, I always thought Brett Lee was superfit until he started breaking down late in his career.

Mitchell will need to get his inswinger going if he is to be considered a great of the game. He needs to make the ball talk more.

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by saqibsalman Interesting point - he may have underachieved considering his godly talent, but he was also playing for Pakistan - where the slips cordon and most fielders would have dropped some catches off his bowling.

Akram had A LOT of catches dropped off his bowling, I think there was a cricinfo article which said it was the most for any bowler.

Its the point people make about Sami. The fact is good bowlers find a way of getting people out even if catches go down.

[Vegitto1]

"Nobody is better than Wasim but I have no doubt that if Johnson stays fit he will take more than 400 Test wickets, maybe a fair bit more," Waqar said.

What he is saying is that because Johnson is going to play so many matches he is likely to break the record not because he is so skilled!

[Invictus]

I highly doubt it. MJ blows hot and cold. Not to epic Harmison proportions but out of the blue he losses it for an entire series and then comes back. I have even noticed it in spells where he just starts loosing his action and gets lower and more slingy and then recovers.
He would need to be allot more consistent in order to get to 400 and stay fit.

[Sledger]

What I don't understand is why Waqar has chosen to say this now, couldn't he have waited till the end of the tour? Pakistan might act over cautious against Johnson now and miss out on the loose ball which he almost always gives away sooner or later.

[Gollum]

I give Wasim & Waqar more credit than they are given simply because more than half the times they played on deader than dead tracks of Pakistan (and subcontinent/UAE). Even if MJ surpasses Wasim, Wasim all the way for me. I've seen them both (MJ on TV). You can't compare Wasim in his pomp with what MJ has to offer.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by gollumbird I give Wasim & Waqar more credit than they are given simply because more than half the times they played on deader than dead tracks of Pakistan (and subcontinent/UAE). Even if MJ surpasses Wasim, Wasim all the way for me. I've seen them both (MJ on TV). You can't compare Wasim in his pomp with what MJ has to offer.

I don't think the point was to be comparing MJ with Wasim. Wasim by miles.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Invictus I highly doubt it. MJ blows hot and cold. Not to epic Harmison proportions but out of the blue he losses it for an entire series and then comes back. I have even noticed it in spells where he just starts loosing his action and gets lower and more slingy and then recovers. He would need to be allot more consistent in order to get to 400 and stay fit.

He may look inconsistent but his overall performance is very consistent. He just keeps taking wickets whether bowling good or rubbish.

[Foozee]

average bowler who gets lucky.... but hes a hard worker...all credit to him on that

[muzher]

Typical selective choice of an article title to foment debate. Could have titled it "Nobody is better than Wasim - Waqar" and inserted Waqar's quotes therein to emphasise that no matter how many wickets MJ ends up taking, Wasim will be the greatest.

[Black Zero]

Wasim after 31 matches:
filtered 1985-1990 31 53 1159.3 274 2938 111 6/62 11/160 26.46 2.53 62.6 8 2

Johnson after 31 matches:
2007-2010 31 60 1227.5 225 3934 142 8/61 11/159 27.70 3.20 51.8 4 1

Wasim has better avg by 1.24 run per wicket, Johnson has huge advatange of 10.8 in strike rate.

[Nazir_ Rules]

Wasim is like the sun, Johnson is like pluto, they are a huge way from each other, and only time will tell if either Johnson will be able to get close to the record letalone to break it.

[muzher]

Originally Posted by Anwaar Wasim after 31 matches: filtered 1985-1990 31 53 1159.3 274 2938 111 6/62 11/160 26.46 2.53 62.6 8 2 Johnson after 31 matches: 2007-2010 31 60 1227.5 225 3934 142 8/61 11/159 27.70 3.20 51.8 4 1 Wasim has better avg by 1.24 run per wicket, Johnson has huge advatange of 10.8 in strike rate.

Compare the quality of batsmen Wasim bowled to in that era, to the quality of batsmen that MJ bowls to these days. Not mention the comatose pitches Wasim would have dealt with.

[BD-fan]

Too early to say. Let him cross 200, I mean 300 first.

[jusarrived]

please MG is a decent bowler at best , he will never be in the same league as Akram & i doubt he will get 400+ test wickets !

[cricwiz]

Originally Posted by Savak "Nobody is better than Wasim but I have no doubt that if Johnson stays fit he will take more than 400 Test wickets, maybe a fair bit more," Waqar said.

Whats so confusing about remarks from Waqar???? He clearly said that in terms of ability Johnson is far away from Wasim, but he may get ahead in terms of wickets .... provided he remains fit...

[pun500]

age is a big factor ... also johson isnt a genius bowler like waz once his speed declines it will be difficult for him

genius players adjust their game with age and maintain their edge mcgrath waz tendulkar ponting...etc

good ones just go down and down eg ntini , yousuf , inzaman

[Zaz]

He needs another 270 wkts which should mean another 60 tests or so
Another 6-7 yrs of test cricket - possible but improbable considering he is 28 already

However i doubt he ll even be close to wasims class ever

[Invictus]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie He may look inconsistent but his overall performance is very consistent. He just keeps taking wickets whether bowling good or rubbish.

He has a knack of picking up wickets. I specially hate the one he floats way outside off and batsman follow it to edge to slip or point/gully region.
But in order to get to 400 wickets you need to allot more consistant with your bowling form.
In 3-4 years his pace wont be the same so he would have to develop new tricks. Unless he gains control over his action and form in that time frame it would be next to impossible.

[MIG]

Funny - I though Aamer was suppoed to be the next Wasim Akram

[waqar akram]

waqar never said mitchell johnson is a better bowler than wasim or more talented than wasim. he just said johnson will get more wickets. obviously all wickets dont have the same value to them. some wickets, like top order batsmen of good teams, have more value. alot of bowlers' stats can mislead due to their expertise at mopping off the tail. case in point :ajit agarkar's ODI career

[Wajahat_Ali]

Johnson is a talented bowler..has everything..pace,swing,variety,etc.

:younis is dead right

[Saj]

I may be a little biased but Wasim played in an era when international batsmen were so much better than the current bunch.

There are so many cheap wickets out there for bowlers such as Johnson.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Saj I may be a little biased but Wasim played in an era when international batsmen were so much better than the current bunch. There are so many cheap wickets out there for bowlers such as Johnson.

In Wasim's era the batsmen had lower averages than today.

And the bowlers had much lower averages too. So if wickets are cheap why do all the batsmen now average around 50 and the bowlers around 30?

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie In Wasim's era the batsmen had lower averages than today. And the bowlers had much lower averages too. So if wickets are cheap why do all the batsmen now average around 50 and the bowlers around 30?

Granted pitches are worse for bowling but.....

Wasim had to bowl at the great west indian batsmen, the top aussies from the mid to late 90s

And also he played a lot of his tests at home

Mitchell doesnt

[Lethal]

Who knows if MJ will get 400+ wickets.

Still a long way and for a fast bowler to stay fit these days for a long period is a rarity.

If MJ does manage to pass Wasim Akram's tally of wickets then fair play.

However Wasim will always be a legend and will be the best left armer that played the game.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Zaz Wasim had to bowl at the great west indian batsmen, the top aussies from the mid to late 90s

Funnily enough, Wasim wasn't great against England. Average 30, strike rate 70.

A lot better than Mitch against England, though

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by Robert Funnily enough, Wasim wasn't great against England. Average 30, strike rate 70. A lot better than Mitch against England, though

Average 32.55, strike rate 48.6. Thanks and come again.

[Lion]

Wasim Akram is an all time great. It will be hard to say that about Mitchell Johnson. Class and Impact on a game cannot sometimes be captured through statistics

[jusarrived]

Originally Posted by Zaz Granted pitches are worse for bowling but..... Wasim had to bowl at the great west indian batsmen, the top aussies from the mid to late 90s And also he played a lot of his tests at home Mitchell doesnt

who ?

infact 90s had very avg batting lineups

[muzher]

Originally Posted by jusarrived Originally Posted by Zaz Granted pitches are worse for bowling but..... Wasim had to bowl at the great west indian batsmen, the top aussies from the mid to late 90s And also he played a lot of his tests at home Mitchell doesnt who ? infact 90s had very avg batting lineups

Erm....Wasim bowled in all three of Pak's famous three consecutive drawn series against the great WI team of the late 80s. Batsmen included Greenidge, Haynes, Richards and Richardson.

In total he took 38 wickets in 8 matches @ 19.18 with a SR of 41.0:

Stat summary:
http://tinyurl.com/ydldbrw

1986 series:
http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/60538.html
1988 series:
http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/60551.html
1990 series:
http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/60570.html

[Pakistan_Zindabaad]

Johnson is on track to pip Irfan Akram Pathan....:younis where art thou

[Thank God It Is ME]

Mitch Johnson may take more wickets then Wasim but most pplz would still consider Wasim the best ever left handed pace bowler ever.

[dizzydizz]

Originally Posted by Saj I may be a little biased but Wasim played in an era when international batsmen were so much better than the current bunch. There are so many cheap wickets out there for bowlers such as Johnson.

Lol, so batsmen of yester-year had it harder because they were facing class attacks, and now bowlers from previous eras had bowl to better batsmen than the "current bunch"?

How about the fact that batsmen average so much more nowadays (and hence bowlers today should have their bowling averages viewed in a much more sympathetic light) If 50 is the new 45 , then shouldn't 30 (for bowlers) be the new 27 or thereabouts?

Pretty amateurish analysis on your part I'd say....

[imshally81]

i don't think... it will happen...
i think waqar meanz.... M Ameer

[ahsan17]

Well let's look at the numbers.

He has played 36 tests in less than 3 year - 2 years and 8 months. He has 156 wickets in those games. Considering the amount of test cricket Australia, he is likely to play 120 or so tests unless he gets injured for a long period of time. With that in mind, it wouldn't be surprising at all if he overtakes Wasim in the total number of wickets.

Sure, he probably isn't equally capable or has the same skills, but thats not the point.

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by saqlain I think if someone would have asked Wasim Akram 10 years before his retirement from international cricket, I am not sure if many had said that he would be the legendary bowler.

Complete nonsense. 10 years prior to Wasim's "retirement", ie in 1993, Wasim was already a fast bowling great. He was, by 1993, one of the world's premier bowlers, and also the best left arm pacer of all time.

[azk]

Originally Posted by dizzydizz Lol, so batsmen of yester-year had it harder because they were facing class attacks, and now bowlers from previous eras had bowl to better batsmen than the "current bunch"? How about the fact that batsmen average so much more nowadays (and hence bowlers today should have their bowling averages viewed in a much more sympathetic light) If 50 is the new 45 , then shouldn't 30 (for bowlers) be the new 27 or thereabouts? Pretty amateurish analysis on your part I'd say....

i find it hilarious how people dismiss bowlers with 30-35 averages as rubbish and expect everyone to have mid 20 averages. with the flatter pitches these days, an average in the early 30s isn't that bad.

[Desire]

waqar, before the start of 2nd days play you are pumping up the wrong team. whats the point in giving encouragement to mitchael johnsson?? he will take 5 wickets now .

[Khabri420]

Originally Posted by Desire waqar, before the start of 2nd days play you are pumping up the wrong team. whats the point in giving encouragement to mitchael johnsson?? he will take 5 wickets now .

Bhai saab, this thread is from January of this year :younis

[azk]

13th January 2010, 00:54

when he was working with australian bowlers and not the pakistani coach.