The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘Competition is healthy’

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Saturday, Jun 30, 2007
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‘Competition is healthy’

Special Correspondent

— Photo: V. Ganesan

BENDING HIS BACK: Dennis Lillee (centre) and Troy Cooley (left) watching Mitchell Johnson in action on Friday.

Chennai: Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson believes it is the depth in Australian cricket which has made it such a strong cricketing force.

Speaking to presspersons at the MRF Pace Foundation, here, on Friday, Johnson said, “We are pushing each other all the time. For instance, I am pushing Brett Lee, which means he will push himself further. This is healthy for the side.”

Drawing a comparison between the Indian and the Australian teams, Dennis Lillee said, “the Australian team is very determined, very fit, works hard and is very focussed. It sets goals and works hard towards achieving it. Sometimes, I don’t see this in India.”

Johnson, a left-arm swing bowler, said Australia had the bowlers with the potential to play a lot of matches for the country. He added there was variety in the pace bowling — “We have Shaun Tait, myself, Stuart Clark, and Nathan Bracken, and all of us have different styles.”

Johnson, who went through some interesting drills under the eyes of Dennis Lillee and Troy Cooley said he was delighted to be back at the Foundation and learning the art of pace bowling under the masters.

“My fastest ball has been timed at around 148 kmph. But I consistently bowl at over 140 and if I swing the ball at that pace, it would not be easy for the batsmen,” he said.

Johnson was seen exchanging views with India pacemen Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel.

Pat for Ponting

The 25-year-old Queenslander had words of appreciation for Ricky Ponting’s aggressive captaincy.

Johnson said dismissing Sachin Tendulkar gave him great thrill — “I have been watching him from a young age.”

The Aussie said Wasim Akram and Curtly Ambrose were the bowlers who influenced him enormously while growing up.

Australia’s pace bowling coach Cooley said the Aussie pacemen were here as part of the MoU between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia. Talking about injury prevention, he said a paceman should have a bowling action best suited to his body. “In the early days, the side-on action was considered the best for all bowlers. Now, pace bowling has become a science and the bowlers have more than one action to chose from.”

He dwelt on the perils of overtraining, over bowling and the resultant injuries. Cooley said a bowling coach should be one who comprehended the nuances and knew to communicate with the players.

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