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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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
