"Marnus Labuschagne Is The Youngest At 29.."- Mitchell Johnson Sows New Seeds Of Rift In Australian Cricket Team
Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has predicted a summer of “dramatic change” for the Australian Test team. Johnson has put players under the pump with his scathing attacks on David Warner before the First Test against Pakistan which is scheduled to commence on December 14.
The Ashes destroyer has now given the senior members of the test team more bad news by suggesting changes for the aging squad in the summer series against Pakistan and the West Indies. He thinks that this is the perfect time to make changes in the squad as the new WTC Cycle has just started to take place after a long period of limited-overs action.
The future of Australia’s Test XI is currently the hottest topic of debate as selectors are still miles away from selecting the apt replacement for David Warner at the top of the Aussie batting order. As pointed out by Mitchell Johnson, eight members of the current squad are more than 32 in age and David Warner’s replacement is not the only issue that needs to be addressed.
Usman Khawaja is 36 while former captain Steve Smith is 34. Smith has already made his plans clear mentioning he has no plans to retire. Mitchell Starc, 33, and Nathan Lyon, 35, are also reaching the climax of their career. “Spots are up for grabs as the Australian Test team prepares to enter a period of dramatic change, with eight of the likely XI to face Pakistan in the first Test at Optus Stadium this week aged 32 or older,” Mitchell Johnson has written in a column for The West Australian.
Mitchell Johnson Recalls When He Was Trying To Make A Comeback To The Test Team Ageing 30
“At 29, Marnus Labuschagne is the youngest player in the expected line-up. It’s funny remembering back to when I was injured at 30 and trying to get myself back into the team. I was hearing plenty of noise that 30 was too old as a fast bowler and that it was an age when you have peaked or are starting to slide out of your best form. It’s the building of the future that Australia must be looking at.” Mitchell Johnson has asked the selectors to pick young speedster Lance Morris on the bouncy Perth track this week.
“This summer is a great opportunity to blood some young or performing players, especially when it’s against two teams in Pakistan and the West Indies who have struggled in Australia for a decent period of time,” Mitchell Johnson wrote. “Fast bowler Lance Morris, 25, should be the first of those. With Perth likely to present a fast and bouncy pitch, there would be no better place for the young tearaway to steam in for his Test debut.”
Lance Morris is in the 14-man squad for the series opener in Perth. Cameron Green is also among the squad but he is expected to miss out as Mitchell Marsh could be seen playing given his recent form. Mitchell Marsh is also a viable option to replace David Warner as an opener in a move that would allow Australia to play with two all-rounders in the XI.
Australia will face Pakistan in three tests starting from December 14 in Perth followed by the boxing-day test in Melbourne and then the last one after New Year celebrations in Sydney which will be David Warner’s last test in his career.
