He Bowls To The Left
He Bowls To The Left is a cricket chant. It is used by members of the Barmy Army to antagonise Australian, Mitchell Johnson. The full lyrics are "He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, that Mitchell Johnson, his bowling is shite."[1] The chant is sometimes accompanied with actions involving the participants swaying their arms from side to side in time with the lyrics.[2][3]
History[edit]
The chant was created during the 2010-11 Ashes series due to a growing dislike of Johnson by England fans. The chant was originally intended for if Johnson continued to antagonize the Barmy Army through his actions[4][5] as they had originally planned to be silent when he bowled.[6] The chant was considered to be accurate as Johnson had been bowling poorly during the series.[7] On 28 December, after England had retained The Ashes, former England captain, Michael Vaughan sang part of the chant on BBC Radio 4's Test Match Special.[8] Vaughan also remarked that it was his "favourite Barmy Army song".[2]
The chant continued throughout the series leading up to the final Test match of the series, where Johnson appeared on the Sydney Cricket Ground pavilion balcony, the chant was used by the Barmy Army and Johnson left the balcony shortly afterwards.[9] Graeme Swann criticized the Barmy Army for singing the chant during the presentation of the Ashes urn in his autobiography, calling the overuse of it, "rubbish".[10]
After 2011[edit]
In 2012 during Australia's tour of England and Ireland, Johnson was recalled to the Australian team after an injury.[11] The chant returned in Australia's opening game against Leicestershire at Grace Road.[12] Before their last One Day International against England at Old Trafford, Johnson revealed that the chant did affect him but remarked that the chant was "very catchy".[13] He also stated that he had started to look at it as a compliment.[14][15]
References[edit]
- ↑ Winslow, Paul (2011-01-03). "Barmy Army's Mitchell Johnson sledge". Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ashes 5th Test: Barmy Army will keep targeting Mitchell Johnson". Daily Mirror. 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Mawby, Nathan (2010-12-29). "Barmy Army on victory march after England retains the Ashes". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ↑ Winslow, Paul (2010-12-23). "Barmy Army promise to target Mitchell Johnson during Boxing Day Test". Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Scyld Berry (2011). The Shorter Wisden 2011: Selected writing from Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2011. A&C Black. ISBN 1408196999. Search this book on
- ↑ "Oz welcome for Barmy Army trumpeter". Cricket365. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Tom Bellwood (2010-12-28). "ASHES LIVE: Australia v England, Melbourne - day three". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Stephen Bates. "England's Barmy Army revel in new-found respectability in Melbourne". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Tom Fordyce. "Tom Fordyce: The deal is sealed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Graeme Swann (2011). "18". The Breaks Are Off. Hachette UK. ISBN 1444727397. Search this book on
- ↑ Ian Baker (2012-07-10). "MITCHELL JOHNSON IS SINGING A NEW POSITIVE SONG". Daily Express. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ↑ Lawrence Booth (2012-06-26). "Pakistan cricket moves forward as corruption fades - The Top Spin". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ "'Barmy Army hurt me,' says Johnson". Herald Sun. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ Chris Barrett (2012-07-08). "Pommy ditties can help Mitch find pitch". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJao1loiq-k
External links[edit]
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