It’s the debate that will rage among park cricketers across Australia and South Africa over the next month.
“Who would you rather face, Mitchell Johnson or Dale Steyn?”
After a month of talking, the subplot of the world’s two most aggressive and intimidating pacemen going head to head will rise to a crescendo when the three-Test series between Australia and South Africa starts on Wednesday at Centurion.
“I wouldn’t want to be batting against Mitchell Johnson,” the West Indies pace icon told AAP.
“As a right-handed batsman, with him bowling left-arm over at that pace he’s always close to the body.
“That creates problems. You’re worried about him getting you out and about him getting you injured. That is a big weapon.
“Steyn is fast yes, and he’ll get you out. But you are worried about getting out, more than about getting hurt.
“It’s a real advantage, if you have that second dimension of possibly hurting someone. They say fast bowling should not be about intimidation. But it is a factor.”
It’s a view shared by former Proteas batsman Daryll Cullinan, who wrote about the “mental anguish and thrill of dealing with genuine quick bowling” in South African newspaper The Times.
“What is even more difficult dealing with Johnson than Steyn is that, when bowling over the wicket, he attacks your more closed-off left side,” Cullinan opines.
“A blind spot exists … your rib cage feels horribly exposed.
“(The pair boast) two of the nastiest bouncers in world cricket. They are skiddy, quick and difficult to get under.”
Australia coach Darren Lehmann is left-handed but would still rather take guard against Steyn.
“Because you get a better sight of the ball as a batter. Johnson is more of a slinger and you don’t pick up the ball as well, and he’s probably faster I would think, at the moment anyway,” he says.
“But God. They’re both pretty good.”
Steyn has recovered from a fractured rib, with Proteas bowling coach Allan Donald vowing he will be at full tilt come the first Test.
Johnson, twice responsible for breaking South African captain Graeme Smith’s hand, has already vowed to be Australia’s intimidator in the same fashion that frightened England in the Ashes.
The left-armer expects those baying for blood will be satisfied this month, tipping the Proteas will give as good as they get.
“They’ll probably use Morne Morkel in that enforcer sort of role, with his height and pace and bounce that he gets. I’ll definitely think we’ll be getting it back,” Johnson said.
Holding will be commentating the series and admits the much-hyped pace shootout has him a tad more excited than usual.
“It’s going to be a good battle and I think these are the two best Test teams as far as performance is concerned at the moment,” he said.
The man nicknamed ‘Whispering Death’ for his ability to inspire fear in batsmen throughout the 1970s and ’80s says the game may have changed, but that outright pace still keeps Test players awake at night.
“It doesn’t matter how much protection you put on, it’s a mental game.
“You can put on all the helmets, all the chest guards and whatever else you want. But when you’re there and see a ball coming toward your head, that affects your mind.
“They still create havoc. They create a situation where people aren’t even sleeping well at night, they’re thinking about having to face you the next day.”
With heavy rain making for an underprepared Centurion pitch and the ball set to be hooping around under overcast skies, it’s the stuff of nightmares – be you South African or Australian.
Head to head
STEYN:
30 years old
350 wickets from 69 Tests at average of 22.9
World’s top Test bowler on ICC rankings from July 2009 until teammate Vernon Philander took the mantle in December last year
Boasts the holy trinity that all quicks strive for: pinpoint accuracy, controlled swing and serious speed
Likes fishing, hunting and eats pressure for breakfast. Took 10 wickets at the MCG in 2008 to seal South Africa’s first Test series win in Australia
JOHNSON:
32 years old
242 wickets from 46 Tests at average of 28.33
Rediscovered his brutal best in the Ashes, taking 37 wickets to be man of the series in the 5-0 shellacking of England
Swings the ball well, while a slinging action and 1.89m frame generates dangerous bounce and express pace
Match figures of 11-159 against South Africa in Perth in 2008, then player of the series in three-Test bout that followed in the Rainbow Nation. Crowned ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2009.
