Johnson: AB the toughest batsman to beat

Former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson says that South Africa batsman AB de Villiers has been the toughest player to get rid of during his Test career.
Johnson, who retired after the second Test against New Zealand in Perth recently, was asked who his toughest opponent was, and he said the Proteas man, the top-ranked Test batsman, was his pick.
Johnson told Inside Cricket: "AB de Villiers, he's one outstanding player of our generation. He was always so difficult to get out and a huge challenge.
"I remember the game at Centurion (in 2014) and I'd got a few quick wickets in that game and he came out to bat and looked so calm and composed and just played his natural game.
"It really is difficult when someone does come out like that and you're on top of your game.
"But it really is a great challenge and he's been one of the best players I've played against."
Johnson has also revealed that he considered giving up bowling bouncers after friend and team-mate Phillip Hughes died a year ago. Hughes had been struck on the neck by a Sean Abbott short ball, and died of a brain hemorrhage.
Johnson told the ABC's 7.30 of Hughes's passing: "It still hurts to this day.
"It definitely affected players around the world and I think it changed the game a little bit for a while there.
"I had that Ashes series where I was really aggressive and bowling a lot of short balls and I did hit players.
"And it made me think, was I doing the right thing? You know, was I playing in the spirit of the game?"
But the paceman said that heavy reflection and discussions allowed him to get past that mental block, and he resolved that short-pitched bowling was still an important part of his armoury.
He added: "I've always gone out there and bowled fast, bowled my short balls, been aggressive. I just felt I couldn't go the other way."
Latest
-
News
England quick Saqib Mahmood to miss rest of season with stress fracture of back
The Lancashire fast bowler would have been a certain inclusion in the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
England change to continue with new limited-overs coach and revamped Test squad
Things have been moving quickly at the England and Wales Cricket Board with Rob Key.
-
News
On this day in 2010: England beat Australia for Twenty20 World Cup final glory
The Australians had been restricted to just 147 for six from their 20 overs.
-
News
James Anderson removes Joe Root for just four but Yorkshire thwart Lancashire
Harry Brook came to Yorkshire’s rescue to secure a Roses draw.
-
News
Andrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
News
Tributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
News
Cricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.
-
News
Joe Root century checks Lancashire’s victory bid in Roses clash
Jack Leach took an eight-wicket match haul as Somerset claimed victory over neighbours Gloucestershire.