Wisden overview
Finger-spin in Australia can be an unrewarding pastime, but Ian Johnson's perseverance paid off, and he learned to beat batsmen in the air if seldom off the pitch. Overseas, too, he could be a formidable opponent: his 79 wickets at 16.82 in South Africa in 1949-50 included an extraordinary 9 for 38 against Transvaal. Overlooked for the 1953 Ashes tour, Johnson contemplated retirement, but his career was unexpectedly prolonged by the mistrust among Australian administrators of the mercurial Keith Miller: Johnson captained his country in 17 Tests without quite removing the impression that he was a roi faineant. He had his moments as a popular ambassador in the West Indies in 1954-55, but could do little to rouse a demoralised team in England in 1956 when his own form, at the age of 38, was altogether wretched. On retirement he took up the prestigious post of secretary to the Melbourne Cricket Club. Gideon Haigh

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