Mitchell’s spell will rank high up in Ashes: Marsh

NEW DELHI - Australian seamer Mitchell Johnson, who rejuvetaned their Ashes campaign with a six-wicket-haul against England at Perth Friday, has bowled one of the best Ashes spells, feels former Test opener Geoff Marsh.

Marsh was all praise for Johnson, who Friday roared back to form taking six wickets for 38 runs, which gave Australia a lead of 81 runs. The left-handed seamer gave a lesson in the art of swinging the ball as he broke the back of England batting in a brilliant morning spell that read 9-3-20-4, and then returned to mop up the tail.

“Mitchell’s spell was outstanding and it certainly ranks high up among the best Ashes spells bowled by an Australian,” said Marsh, the former Australian Test player, who is the coach of new Indian Premier League (IPL) team Pune Warriors.

“Mitchell is our strike bowler and he was not in form in the first Test, which could happen. He was a vital cog of the Australian side and his not performing affected the side’s performance in the first two Test. Someone had to stand up for the team at Perth and he bowled a brilliant spell today.”

Marsh, who spent some time watching the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Mumbai here Friday to spot players for his IPL team, said that India will be the favourites in next year’s

World Cup.

About the gruelling contest in Perth where Australia fought back to bowl out England for 187 courtsey Johnson’s efforts in the first innings, Marsh said that things are finally looking up for Ricky Ponting’s team after trailing 0-1 in the series.

“Well, Australia is going through a rough patch. They have had two bad Tests but things are looking good in the third, they have a lead now. So, as of now we have hope, Australia have no choice but to win the Test.”

“Australian team is still developing. Ricky Ponting no longer has a (Adam) Gilchrist, (Shane) Warne or (Jason) Gillespie. We have youngsters and a few experienced players. The team is still developing, the building up process takes time. Another five years, the Australians should be back to their top game.”

Marsh also said that Australia have faced the top teams recently.

“Let us not forget Australia has been playing very good teams, like India, South Africa, England. While Australian team’s standard have gone down a bit, the other teams have raised their performance.”

Australia have played Pakistan in England, New Zealand in New Zealand, India and now England.

Everytme Australia fare poorly, there are calls to Shane Warne to come out from retirement.

“Warne is not going to be back. He is retired. Such great players cannot be replaced. While there is no one in the reckoning of his caliber now, Michael Beer is a good prospect. I have seen him bowling in the domestic cricket, he is a good bowler.”