The National’s Sport cover for the Wednesday, October 29 issue, featuring Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson, who had a good but not great first Test against Pakistan in Dubai.
To be great, writes Osman Samiuddin, Johnson must tailor his style to the conditions found in this region.
Writes Osman, “Great fast bowlers find a way to adjust after injuries, like Dennis Lillee did after his back gave way.
“They learn to eke out careers on surfaces that give them nothing, like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram did.
“They find a way to thrive in countries they are not used to, like Richard Hadlee and Malcolm Marshall did.
“Mitchell Johnson, world cricket’s most acclaimed – and thrilling – fast bowler in this past year ... remains unproven in the conditions he faces in the UAE.
“The head-scrambling hurry, the venom that he has found in Australia, has been absent.
“Clever – or cleverer – is what he has to be here if he and Australia are to break through their regional rut.”
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