Mitchell Johnson or James Anderson?

[smssia0112]

Hindsight is nice, but at the time Anderson was clearly a better bowler. Now, it's a lot more interesting, so I've decided to reset the poll.

Previous result: Johnson 6 - 32 Anderson.

 

[King Pietersen]

They're completely different bowlers. Johnson relies on his pace and angle whereas Anderson's an out and out swing bowler. Johnson would probably be just ahead for me, but their 2008 records weren't too dissimilar. Anderson had a very good 2008. I'd still say Johnson's ahead though.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Johnson was fast and accurate this year. Anderson is fast and lethal if he swings the ball. But if there is no swing on offer, Johnson wins.

 

[SciD]

Never liked Jhonson as a bowler and never will. he has good strike rate but still . Jimmy > Jhonson anyday.
Even though both remind me of Ajit Agarkar.

 

[manee]

Johnson in Tests and ODIs comfortably for me.

 

[Skater]

Generally, Johnson is god awful, but the winning wicket today was one of the best balls I have ever seen.

Anderson is better overall, although my word is he inconsistent.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Generally, Johnson is god awful, but the winning wicket today was one of the best balls I have ever seen.

Anderson is better overall, although my word is he inconsistent.

Didn't that ball hit a crack in the pitch?

 

[Will_NA]

Not to mention Smith was hardly behind it since he had a broken finger. Johnson's a more effective bowler but Anderson, undoubtedly, has more skill and you can see that in the way they get their wickets.

Johnson's pure pace I'm afraid.

 

[Skater]

Not to mention Smith was hardly behind it since he had a broken finger. Johnson's a more effective bowler but Anderson, undoubtedly, has more skill and you can see that in the way they get their wickets.

Johnson's pure pace I'm afraid.

If Smith was as fit as a fiddle he wouldn't have hit it. I'm not defending Johnson btw, as I think he's crap, but that ball reminded me of Lee to Flintoff at Trent Bridge. Brilliant.

 

[Will_NA]

There was a HUGE gap between bat and pad. Smith obviously wasn't up to blocking it.

 

[King Pietersen]

I'm going to sound like an Australian here. But it does annoy me when people claim that Johnson lacks skill or that he's rubbish. People have been saying that once people work out how to play his angle he'll stop taking wickets and be rubbish, but that's just not the case. His FC record proves that he's a strike bowler. He bowls with fantastic pace, gets a little bit of movement, entices the right handers to drive, is generally very accurate and more importantly he maintains the pace that he can generate throughout a whole day. The guy's got some serious talent, underestimate him at your peril, I bet you he'll be leading wicket taker in the Ashes.

The same was said about Dale Steyn at the start of his career as well, and look where he is now. So feel free to write Johnson off, but it will come back to bite you. I'm glad I realised his talents earlier, don't want the embarassment of claiming he's crap and then seeing him dominate the Ashes .

 

[smssia0112]

I'm going to sound like an Australian here. But it does annoy me when people claim that Johnson lacks skill or that he's rubbish. People have been saying that once people work out how to play his angle he'll stop taking wickets and be rubbish, but that's just not the case. His FC record proves that he's a strike bowler. He bowls with fantastic pace, gets a little bit of movement, entices the right handers to drive, is generally very accurate and more importantly he maintains the pace that he can generate throughout a whole day. The guy's got some serious talent, underestimate him at your peril, I bet you he'll be leading wicket taker in the Ashes.

The same was said about Dale Steyn at the start of his career as well, and look where he is now. So feel free to write Johnson off, but it will come back to bite you. I'm glad I realised his talents earlier, don't want the embarassment of claiming he's crap and then seeing him dominate the Ashes .

Damn it KP, you made a post that Ben can't argue with!

All good points though, Johnson is still quite underrated but anyone who actually watches him will know he's improved a hell of a lot over the last 12 months or so and is now a fantastic bowler.

 

[Will_NA]

I'm yet to see much variation from Johnson other than his bouncer. Anderson doesn't have the pace but has the inswinger, outswinger, slower ball and also moves it off the seem which is why I definitely see him as the more skilled bowler.

 

[mattfb]

I'm yet to see much variation from Johnson other than his bouncer. Anderson doesn't have the pace but has the inswinger, outswinger, slower ball and also moves it off the seem which is why I definitely see him as the more skilled bowler.

Johnson had reverse swing, in swing and a slower ball.

Didn't that ball hit a crack in the pitch?

It swung in sharply really late.

There was a HUGE gap between bat and pad. Smith obviously wasn't up to blocking it.

He blocked 16 or 17 balls before that, and even started playing with a bit more power.

 

[angryangy]

I'm yet to see much variation from Johnson other than his bouncer. Anderson doesn't have the pace but has the inswinger, outswinger, slower ball and also moves it off the seem which is why I definitely see him as the more skilled bowler.

What I don't get about Anderson is with all his variation, why is he so easy to tonk?