Bill Johnston, who bowled left-arm medium pace and slow left-arm orthodox, did an exemplary job as a support bowler to Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller. There were occasions when he even outshone the duo.

He was a versatile cricketer as he could generate swing and extract seam movement. He even bowled left-arm spin. He also had a surprise bouncer up his sleeve and could bowl long spells.

During his younger days, Johnston mainly bowled medium pace and finger spin. He was also a fine baseball player. Johnston joined the Royal Air Force during the World War II. After the War ended, he made his First-Class debut for Victoria and bowled with the new ball. His performances though, were unspectacular and wasn't picked for the one-off Test in New Zealand.

Johnston even thought of retiring from the game. However, the great Don Bradman motivated him and told him that Australia needed a support bowler for Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller, and he could fill in the role.

Fine showing in the Sheffield Shield helped Johnston to play for Australia in the Test series against India in 1947. He ended the series with 16 wickets and at an impressive average of 11.37.

It was the 1948 Ashes series that turned around his fortunes. In the Test at Trent Bridge, he took nine wickets and that included a four-for in the second innings with him shouldering much of the bowling workload as Lindwall was injured.

When Australia toured South Africa in 1949, Johnston was nearly killed in a car accident. Thankfully, he convalesced from that fatal injury and again played for his country. In the 1950-51 Ashes against England, Johnston was in sublime form with the ball. He reached the landmark of 100 wickets in Test cricket in a mere 22 Tests.

Just when it felt as if, he would soar to greater heights, he was laid low by a career threatening knee injury. He showed glimpses of what he could do by bowling at a reduced pace against the rampaging Englishmen in 1954-55. He even stood up to the venomous pace of Frank Tyson. But Johnston soon faded away from the scene after taking just two wickets in the series against the West Indies in 1954-55.

By Bharath Ramaraj