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Thursday, May 26, 2016, Jaistha 12, 1423 BS, Shaban 18, 1437 Hijri


Taking wickets early calms nerves: Richard Johnson
BIPIN DANI
Published :Thursday, 26 May, 2016,  Time : 12:00 AM  View Count : 71
Mumbai, May 25: There can be no better player than England's Richard Johnson to understand the feelings of Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka, who too like him, had a dream Test debut and claimed the first two wickets without conceding a single run (against Zimbabwe at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street in 2003).
Speaking exclusively over his mobile from London, the 42-year-old Richard Johnson says, "dream start to Test cricket, taking wickets early calms the nerves".
"There are not many international players who have achieved this feat in the debut Test, but it helps you bowl better as pressure is eased. Whether or not it's your debut it's quite hard to achieve. Being your debut there is just added pressure on you to impress", he added.
Unlike Shanaka, Johnson's victims were not top order batsmen.
"It is always nice to get the captain out (Shanaka's first Test victim was England captain and opener Alastair Cook). Most sides target captain as an important wicket to make a statement".
Johnson believes Shanka has a great future ahead. "I have not seen any of Shanaka but he certainly had a great start to his Test career and I wish he plays many more Tests for his nation and I wish him luck".
Sadly, Johnson could play only two more Tests after his sensational debut.
"I have no regrets. I would have loved to have played more but I had a series of injury problems with my right knee which restricted me", he signed off.









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