Mitchell Johnson: Why Aussies need to overlook Pat Cummins for next year’s World Cup

One-day cricket has got our summer off and running, against the backdrop of sandpaper interviews and rebuttals and all the news being dissected in every conversation.

But when I walked into Optus Stadium on Friday and experienced the feeling of being inside the ground, saw the pitch, some early fans, and a few players starting to make their way onto the lush grass, I felt all the noise of sandpaper disappear.

I was actually excited to watch this new generation of cricketers play against an experienced and confident England team.

Not speaking about the sandpaper saga on air for Triple M, and actually watching and commenting on what was happening on the field, was a nice change. Even better was seeing West Aussie Mahli Beardman take 6-24 off 7.4 overs, one of the most impressive debuts, if not the most impressive I’ve personally seen.

I recently wrote about the connection I had with him, and on Friday I was also speaking about his connection to the great DK Lillee.

This was my first time seeing Mahli bowl live, in the flesh. In the comms box we all said similar things about the way he bowled, the lengths he hit, and the late shape away from the right-handers.

He got Harry Brook and Joe Root, two world-class batsmen, as his first two wickets and set them up well. His pace was 140 to 145kmh, he used his bouncer well and bowled it quick. But it was his follow-up deliveries that showed his skill and execution, and a control beyond his years. Beardman bowled fuller and allowed the ball to do its thing.

I was certainly impressed. It’s only his first one-day international, but he showed the potential he has and why he was picked, and he will only grow from this.

The test now is backing up on Sunday if picked, with a short turnaround, travel, and a different pitch and conditions, as his journey begins with the rigours of international cricket.

The fans who watch the game, and the expectations that come with that. The million messages and phone calls from family, friends, and friends of friends. He has to make sure he is not letting those things mentally drain him, because they can when you’re the new guy, and especially after a first-game performance like that. Everyone wants a piece.

The good thing I noticed with Mahli when we first met was that he is down to earth, a country lad, and he just wants to play cricket, bowl fast, learn and be the best he can be. He is at an exciting stage of his career. A young 21-year-old playing for your country, and people already knowing your name, is cool.

After the match on Friday, while I was on air on the ground, Mahli came over and gave me a tap on the back after I had just given him a thumbs up. I was actually going to take the headphones off and go over to him, but being the guy he is, he came over first. I turned and we did the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers Predator handshake, then a hug, before he took off to celebrate with his teammates.

What I enjoyed about Friday’s game was the crowd that turned up, given what is happening in Australian cricket. Mitch Marsh was the only player from the 2018 Cape Town team in the side, and he is the captain of the ODI side. Which gets me to my point, the talk of the big-name bowlers not being there.

Pat Cummins has played only three of Australia’s 30-odd ODIs since the last World Cup. It’s time Cummins was named Test captain only, and Marsh was installed as the official ODI captain. Those roles should now be split.

This is the right time to keep these younger bowlers, and a few around them, developing with this group. I don’t think Cummins is in the conversation for the World Cup next year. It might sound harsh or wrong to some but if he is not committing to ODI cricket, then how is that fair to the ones that are?

It’s the current bowlers and bowling squad in and around the team that are doing the work, and they now deserve the opportunity if they continue to grow and perform.

I’m sure Mitchell Starc will make his way in. He is one of the best in the one-day format. Josh Hazlewood will always have a question mark on fitness although his record is up there, but considering the Test schedule coming up, he may have to seriously think about whether he is the best fit.

There are still two games to go in this series, and the England team will be happier playing at Adelaide Oval. This Aussie ODI team has had early success this summer, which will hopefully give them confidence, as they were coming off a series loss in South Africa.

This is where playing at home will be a little more favourable for these young, inexperienced guys, because they are familiar with these conditions.

I’m excited about the potential of this ODI side. It’s fresh, they are moving forward, and it shows that we do have good players, and potentially great ones, coming through who can do the job when given the chance, and some time.