Mitchell Johnson has taken 7 wickets in two overs. If that has raised your eyebrows and forced you to roll your eyes then hold your breath. How about we say that Johnson’s actual figures were 7 wickets for minus (-)35 runs and despite this, he ended up on the losing side. Unbelievable! Too absurd to be true, right? But it actually happened.
Johnson achieved the near impossible figures of 7 for (-) 35 in an indoor cricket tournament in Perth, representing The MBC team against the Bowling Darts.
The former Australian fast bowler, who decided against renewing his BBL contract with the Perth Scorchers, thereby drawing curtains on professional cricketing career, has not bid the adieu to the gentlemen’s game. He sprung in a surprise by deciding to turn up in the indoor cricket tournament – a famous tournament in Australia. Former Australian stars and Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh also played in the tournament in the early stages of their careers.
Coming back to the match, Johnson’s astonishing figures were not enough to take his side over the line. The left-arm fast bowler, who bowled spin, was allowed to bowl only 2 overs as per the rules of the indoor cricket.
In indoor cricket, each side has eight players who bat in pairs for set four-over blocks, innings last 16 overs and each member of the team bowls two overs.
After getting out, the batsman doesn’t leave the crease, instead, he keeps on batting till the allotted fours overs (as a pair) but five penalty runs are added to his team. This explains, how Johnson’s figures read (-) 35. For each of his 7 wickets, a penalty of five runs was slapped on the batting side.
The surprises don’t end here, Johnson, bowled left-arm spin and inflicted stumping for the first time in his cricketing career. Johnson contributed 47 in the match.
The fast bowler will next feature in the T10 cricket league in UAE.