ICC T20 World Cup 2022: It Is A Bit Of A Risk If You Only Take 4 Pacers – Mitchell Johnson On India's Decision To Pick 4 Pacers In T20 WC Squad

Former Australia National Cricket Team left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson feels that the India National Cricket Team have taken a bit of a risk by including only 4 speedsters in their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, which is the eighth edition of the multi-nation tournament, is scheduled to be played from October 16 to November 13 in Australia. India have already named their squad for the tournament and the selectors have picked 4 pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar – in the main squad while senior pacer Mohammed Shami and medium-pacer Deepak Chahar have been named in the reserves.

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During an interaction with the PTI, former Australia speedster Mitchell Johnson, who is set to take part in the upcoming edition of the Legends League Cricket, talked about India’s World Cup squad.

“If you got an all-rounder (fast bowling) and a couple of spinners, four fast bowlers it is a bit of a risk. But India are probably looking at playing two pacers and an all-rounder (Hardik Pandya) and two spinners,” Johnson, who is in India to take part in Legends League Cricket, told PTI.

“In Australia you surely need to play three fast bowlers, possibly four in certain conditions, for example Perth. I guess they have a plan going in but it is a bit of a risk if you only take four (pacers),” said the former left-arm tearaway quick bowler.

Former Australia National Cricket Team pacer Mitchell Johnson further said that he finds the emphasis on express pace funny. He elaborated:

“Those kinds of things are funny (That all should bowl at 145 plus). If someone can bowl 145 plus, you don’t need another guy bowling at the same pace. You need guys that back each other up, work together.

“During the 2013-14 Ashes, there was a lot of talk about me bowling fast and that was great but at the other end I had Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris who had their own strengths and could also hit 140s. So it is all about the balance in the team.

“The main thing in Australia is the extra bounce and pace and adjusting your length, you can get carried away and bowl a bit too short.”

Both Warner and Smith should not be captains – Mitchell Johnson

Aaron Finch, who was appointed as the skipper in April 2019, recently retired from ODI cricket after the 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand in Cairns.

Finch’s opening partner David Warner, who was stripped of all leadership entitlements and received a lifetime leadership ban following his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, has expressed his desire to once again lead Australia in international cricket and he is open to meeting with Cricket Australia (CA) officials to discuss the leadership matter.

Notably, Steve Smith, who is currently Australia’s Test vice-captain, was the captain of Australia when the Sandpapergate scandal happened and he also received a two-year leadership ban.

Meanwhile, Johnson has said that both Warner and Smith should not be considered for captaincy. He also talked about the prospect of Test captain Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Travis Head being given the captaincy.

“Pat Cummins (Test skipper) may not be able to do all formats. It might be too much workload for him, but then I look and check who is available.

“The selectors have someone in mind, maybe Glenn Maxwell. Cameron Green will also be a good choice if you are looking at the future but there is already a heavy workload for him as an all-rounder. Travis Head is there but he needs to be more consistent.

“Both Warner and Smith should not be captains. No issue with them being advisors of the team which they already are. I don’t see why this needs to be brought up all over again, it brings back the old stuff (the scandal)….

“They are also towards the end of their careers so it should be someone who has got more time in the game.”

Also Read: “Opposition Doesn’t Even Think About Bowlers Like Arshdeep Singh”: Aaqib Javed Calls Indian Pacer ‘Basic’

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