Ian Chappell calls Johnson a 'rare jewel in Australian cricket'

Melbourne, Mar 3 (ANI): Former Australian Test captain Ian Chappell has praised fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for his man-of-the-match performance in Australia's 162-run win over South Africa in Johannesburg.

The Herald Sun quoted Chappell as saying that Johnson is a rare jewel in Australian cricket.

Johnson took eight wickets for the match and made 96 not out in Australia's first innings at the Wanderers.

"He's really precisely what you're looking for. He's a bowling all-rounder and they're pretty bloody hard to find. There are a hell of a lot of batsmen who can bowl a bit, but there aren't many genuine bowlers who can bat like Mitchell Johnson," Chappell said.

Chappell, who some months ago predicted Johnson would score a Test century, said he could achieve the same sort of status as legendary Australian all rounder Alan Davidson.

Johnson's career numbers of 536 runs at an average of 29.77 put him in the true all rounder class. After 19 Tests Johnson has taken 86 wickets at an average of 27.55.

Of the nine Australian fast bowlers who have taken 200 Test wickets or more, only Dennis Lillee (91) and Jeff Thomson (88) had more wickets at the same stage of their careers. (ANI)