Dream debut for Johnson

After eight years of waiting, Richard Johnson was determined to make his mark on test cricket, and he did just that in fine fashion today as England once again threatened to rout a sorry Zimbabwe outfit by an innings and then some.

Somerset star Johnson could have made his England debut as long ago as 1995 when he was picked in the tour party England were to take to South Africa. A back injury ruined his opportunity back then, but he managed to force his way back into contention last summer after consistently performing for his county.

And after finally being presented with his cap by David Graveney yesterday, another 24 hours wouldn't have seemed a very long time to show the world of cricket just what he can do.

With his third ball in test cricket, Johnson trapped Mark Vermeulen lbw and repeated the trick to Stuart Carlisle next ball. Grant Flower denied him a hat-trick which would have been an outstanding feat, but what was to follow was no less remarkable.

Johnson bowled an eight over spell at the start of the Zimbabwean innings. By the end of it, he had gone on to have Sean Ervine caught behind by Alec Stewart and Travis Friend lbw, also both for ducks. Heath Streak was also hit in front and got the finger from Darrell Hair - though this one was a little dubious.

Johnson won't have minded. He became the first England bowler to take five wickets on debut for two whole weeks and was later to return to dismiss Tatenda Taibu (who with 31 was the only Zimbabwean to show any resistance) and finish with 6-33. The seven lbw's in the innings was a test match record (ie had never happened in the previous 1646 test matches).

Only three Englishman have returned better figures in the first innings of their debut test match, those being JK Lever, AV Bedser and JC Laker, who between them managed over 500 wickets for England's cause.

One should not get carried away just yet - some have likened Johnson's effort to that of Ed Giddins, who took 5-15 in the first innings of the first test at Lords when ZImbabwe last toured England three years ago. Giddins was unceremoniously dropped after a wicketless performance against West Indies later that summer and never played again. In four tests Giddins took 12 wickets at 20 a piece. Johnson's current figures read 17-8-34-6.

Still, when coupled with an earlier performance with the bat (24 off 14 balls with 4x4's and a six), it is just possible England have found someone who is able to bat at number 9 and open the bowling or come on first change - a very useful player indeed. Johnson has gained increased confidence this summer, with a maiden first class century to boot.

Since Zimbabwe last toured in 2000, Johnson has taken 201 wickets at an average of 20.77 in the county championship and scored over 1000 runs at 20.88 with five half centuries and that ton.

Despite waiting for so long Johnson is at 28 young enough to enjoy a decent career and it is surely rare for a player to debut with more than 400 first class wickets to their name.

Meanwhile, England's 'other' exciting discovery with the ball in this series has been James Anderson was overshadowed here despite dismissing Dion Ebrahim and Grant Flower as Zimbabwe slipped to 35-7 in their first innings, and also Vermeulen first ball in the tourists' second dig. Vermeulen completed the rare 'three hour pair' - not quite a record.

And all this came after England made the pitch look relatively sedate in cruising to 416 all out, despite slumping to 324-7 early on, having lost both overnight batsmen (Alec Stewart, who became England's second highest run scorer in tests yesterday behind Graham Gooch after overtaking David Gower, was denied a 16th test century, dismissed for 68, and Anthony McGrath was denied a first, scoring 81).

The contributions from Steve Harmison (11), who also took two wickets in Zimbabwe's first innings, and Anderson (12*), helped support Ashley Giles (50), to his second consecutive half century. A fortnight ago he didn't have one in test cricket, and whilst he has three first class centuries to his name, a test average of 13 suggests modest ability for a number eight and adds weight to those who suggest this Zimbabwean outfit are possibly the worst ever test side to visit England's shores.

The bowling certainly left plenty to be desired. The 38 extras in England's innings included 25 no balls and seven wides, where it's rare to see even one in a test match. This will obviously be a record at the Riverside, but more worrying is the fact that Zimbabwe also set a record at Lords where England benefited from 61 extras.

Zimbabwe's six frontline bowlers came into the match with 287 test wickets between them, 187 of which belonged to Heath Streak, but there is little excuse - England's four main bowlers had just 78 wickets, of which 56 belonged to Ashley Giles, and he only bowled one over.

Zimbabwe were also let down by the batsman, none of whom average over 30 in an era where the benchmark has been raised from 40 to 45 or even 50. Oh how they must miss Andy Flower.

Plenty of positives for England, though we must wait to see a true indication of their position - probably until South Africa arrive next month. It will be of particular interest to see how the likes of Anderson, McGrath and Johnson fare.

Meanwhile there is no doubt that Zimbabwe are at a low point in a transitional phase. The only question is, how much lower can they go?

Posted by Barrie