In the final of three Tests to be played at the WACA, John Hastings has made his Test debut for Australia. The forgotten man of Australian cricket, Mitchell Johnson, has also been recalled. This has ensured that Australia enter the game after making 4 changes, with Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson coming into the team, in place of Pattinson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus.
This represents a shift towards the modern era of Australian cricket, with first choice players rotated out of the team based on sports science and medical opinion. That the winner of this Test will be the number one ranked team in the world, indicates the faith placed in this method by the Australian hierarchy. Not sure if this could possibly have happened back in the 1970s, but then again, playing cricket for Australia was not the all round assignment that it is now.
Mitchell Johnson is an interesting character. The 2009 ICC player of the year, which now seems remarkable, is back in the team after a 12 month stint in the wilderness. He has a good record – 190 Test wickets in 47 matches at 30. He can handle the bat as well, notching up an unbeaten Test ton against South Africa in 2009. He can bowl the unplayable ball, however he can be maddeningly wayward as well. More than any other player in recent years, Johnson has driven the Australian cricket fan to extremes, with frustration being the end result, more often than not. However, he has another chance. A rapid opening over to Smith in this Test is testament to Johnson’s ability to unsettle the opposition.
The Test has much riding on it. Certainly, Australia will want to win for Ricky Ponting. However, with the number 1 ranking on the line, expect this to be a savagely contested encounter.
Australian Cricket News 