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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Mitchell Johnson fifth Australian entry in '300 wickets' club

Mitchell Johnson fifth Australian entry in '300 wickets' club

Last updated on: July 30, 2015 16:10 IST
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Australia quick Mitchell Johnson. Photograph: Getty Images

Mitchell Johnson has entered the '300' wickets club. 

When he had Jonny Bairstow (5) caught behind on the second day of the third Test at Edgbaston, the 33-year-old reached the milestone, in what is his 69th Test.

He becomes the 28th member of the coveted club, and fifth Australian entry. No other country has more members.

The Queenslander took 37 wickets - at under 14 - as Australia whitewashed England 5-0 in the corresponding series Down Under, and followed it up with a stellar role in South Africa, taking 22 wickets as the Baggy Greens bagged a memorable away win. 

Johnson started the ongoing series with a poor show in the opening Test in Cardiff, getting booed by the English crowd in the process.

However, he bounced right back, with match figures of six for 80, as Australia thumped the hosts by 405 runs at Lord's to square the five-match series.

Edgbaston also witnessed Johnson becoming only the 18th player ever to complete the 'all-rounder's double' (2000 runs/200 wickets), even though he managed just three in the Australian first innings.

Here's a look at the Aussie 'mates' who preceded Johnson in the '300 wickets club'

Former Australia leg spinner Shane Warne. Photograph: Getty Images

Shane Warne is the highest wicket-taker among the Australians, and second only to Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) in the overall standing.

The eminent leg-spinner took 708 wickets in a career spanning 15 years (145 Tests).

His 300th Test wicket came way back in January 1998, in what was his 63rd Test, when he had the then South Africa skipper Hansie Cronje caught by Ricky Ponting in the second innings of the Sydney Test. 

Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath. Photograph: Getty Images

For starters, Glenn McGrath is the most successful fast bowler ever.

The New South Welshman took 563 wickets in 124 Tests.  

McGrath secured his 300th wicket in his 64th Test, against the West Indies at the WACA (Perth) in December 2000, when he had Brian Lara caught by Stuart MacGill.

Australia legend Dennis Lillee. Photograph: Getty Images

Dennis Lillee was the first Australian bowler to reach the milestone. 

The wicket of Pakistan's Wasim Raja, in the second Test at the Gabba (Brisbane) in November 1981, helped Lillee reach his target.

The Western Australian took just 56 Tests to reach the landmark, and remains the fastest bowler to do so.

The Australian legend finished a distinguished career with 355 wickets, from 70 Tests.

Brett Lee. Photograph: Getty Images

Brett Lee ended his career with a haul of 310 wickets in 76 Tests.

The New South Welshman reached the landmark in his 73rd Test, against New Zealand at the Gabba in November 2008, when he had Jamie How caught by Ricky Ponting. 

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