Nielsen happy with win by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	MG Johnson
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 27th July 2009

 

Australia coach Tim Nielsen saw "nothing but positives" in the win over Northamptonshire.

 

All this despite Mitchell Johnson's absolute failure. Johnson endured 18 wicketless overs at a cost of 107 runs before he finally scalped tailender David Wigley off the last ball of the match to wrap up the win by 135 runs.

 

Nielsen, though was in no mood to dwell on Johnson's problems after Australia had bowled their hosts out for 217, despite an opening stand of 99 between Niall O'Brien (58) and Ben Howgego.

 

All-rounder Andrew McDonald finished with four for 15, one of a clutch of performers to have enhanced their reputation and chances of featuring in the third npower Test at Edgbaston this week.

 

"It's pleasing that we had pretty much everybody have some part of the game and contribute," said Nielsen.

 

"Our aim is to have 16 players playing well and available for each Test match. Unfortunately, at the moment we've only got 15 - with 'Binger' (Brett Lee) being sore.

 

"But the fact the bowlers got some overs under their belts, batsmen got some runs - it all helps. We've got nothing but positives out of this game."

 

About Johnson, the coach said that he has faith in the 27-year-old to put things right.

 

"Mitchell has been at the forefront for the past two years when we have played some pretty good cricket," he pointed out.

 

"There have been a lot of times when batsmen and bowlers have been out of form and we have stuck with them and shown some faith, unlike what seems to have been the public or the press' point of view.

 

"At the moment, we're working hard for him to get his bowling as good as we can - and we feel he is getting closer every time."

 

"He didn't bowl as well as he would have liked at Lord's and he had some times today when he went for four, five or six an over - with the ball flying through gully and slip," the coach explained.

 

"That's the nature of the beast. That's the game of cricket - some days you nick 'em; some days you whack 'em; other days you bowl all right; other days you don't."