Remember David Jude Johnson the stocky slinger from Karnataka who arrived on the international scene in 1996 and was even billed as Indias fastest bowler? However,it wasnt long before he slipped back into oblivion. Thirteen years later,Johnson,38,is still looking to bowl quick,notwithstanding his ageing shoulders. He might be the oldest buy in the Karnataka Premier League,but that doesnt bother him hes happy as long as he is playing. But there are a few grudges regarding his brief international career that lasted just two Tests. Back then,I was the quickest in the country. I certainly deserved more than two Test matches. I took the wicket of Michael Slater in the first Test (at Kotla) and even had Ricky Ponting caught off a bouncer but umpire Peter Willey didnt give him out. To trouble Ponting with pace was quite an achievement and yet I wasnt persisted with. I got just one more Test after that,in South Africa. So I played two matches against the two best sides in the world before being dumped. If I was erratic,where were the coaches and seniors in the team, he says. Johnson says he probably played at the wrong time,for there were too many contenders in Karnataka for a Team India berth. Not many people were happy that seven Karnataka players were playing for India. By that time,Anil (Kumble),Rahul (Dravid),Venkatesh (Prasad) and Srinath had cemented their place. We youngsters had to suffer. (Dodda) Ganesh,Sunil Joshi and I were eased out, he says. Johnson is surprised at todays bowlers making the choice between pace and line and length. As a youngster,I was told to cut pace. They told me if I keep hurling the ball like this,I will not play more than one year but I went on to play ten years of domestic cricket and even represented India. Its okay for a medium pacer to talk about line and length but if you have pace,you shouldnt compromise. I pity people like Munaf,Nehra,Agarkar,Sreesanth,even Ishant,they are nowhere near as quick as they were, he says. Johnson laughs at the mention of a slower delivery. I have never bowled a slower one. I bowled quick and other balls extra quick. I just had an out-swinger and then with the old ball I bowled reverse swing. Since I had a sling-arm action the reverse came naturally. Johnson says now is a better time to be a fast bowler in India. There are pace foundations,talent hunts and,most importantly,coaches encourage kids to bowl quick. India has finally woken up to pace bowling, he says.
