Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who is the part of Indian Premier League (IPL), franchise Mumbai Indians, has praised his countryman and former opener Matthew Hayden for inspiring him to work hard during his playing days as it proved to be quite helpful for the paceman in his prime while terming it as an ‘eye opener’.
“I remember Matthew Hayden, when I was playing for Queensland. We were in the net session for three hours. It was humid like Mumbai,” Johnson was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Johnson recollected the memories he had with left-handed batsman Matthew Hayden after watching him facing a marathon of deliveries during the net session in order to keep the entire focus on the game.
“I was stretching and I watched Hayden walk to the end (of) nets, which had a bowling machine, and hitting ball after ball. That really opened my eyes and made me think, I wanna (want to) play for Australia, you are going to do that extra stuff,” Johnson added.
The 35-year-old Johnson is promoting an app ‘BowlFit’ which would be helpful for the youngsters, who are learning the game at the very tender age from different countries.
“All the stuff that is there (in the app), is the one I do, the stuff that I have done in my career. I had some knowledge,” Johnson said.
Johnson alongside Aussie former manager for physical performance Jock Campbell has worked on exercises before making a film out of it which fast bowlers are supposed to follow and that would also be made available in the mobile-based application.
“It made me think ‘what is he doing. We just had a massive training session, why is he hitting more balls.’ That did not make sense to me, after some time it clicked that he plays for Australia,” Johnson further said.
While promoting the application, the Queensland-born pacer has further shown how bowlers could bowl Yorkers, bouncers and slower deliveries which has also been merged in the digital app.
“Over 300 videos are there in the app. A lot of stuff about how to bowl slower balls, bowling a swing ball, how to bowl a bouncer. That was my favourite ball,” Johnson remarked.
While working closely with Indian pace bowlers, Johnson has expressed satisfaction over the improvement of the bowlers.
“I have noticed an improvement in physique of fast bowlers in the last 2-4 years. It is unbelievable,” Johnson asserted.
Johnson has played 153 One-day Internationals, 73 Tests and 30 Twenty20 Internationals, was also impressed by the physical fitness of the local pool of talent.
“The elite ones have amazing physique and they look good. It actually works because they are doing the right thing,” Johnson revealed.
In 140 innings of Tests, Johnson claimed 313 wickets followed by 239 wickets in ODIs and 38 wickets in T20Is.
Johnson has also played 45 IPL matches in which he has claimed 53 wickets at an average of 26.45 so far.