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]
History
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.[3] The chant was considered to be accurate as Johnson had been bowling poorly during the series.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
After 2011
In 2012 during Australia's tour of England and Ireland, Johnson was recalled to the Australian team. The chant returned in Australia's opening game against Leicestershire at Grace Road.[7] 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".[8] He also stated that he had started to look at it as a compliment.[9]
References
- ^ Winslow, Paul (2011-01-03). "Barmy Army's Mitchell Johnson sledge". Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ^ a b "Ashes 5th Test: Barmy Army will keep targeting Mitchell Johnson". Daily Mirror. 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
- ^ Winslow, Paul (2010-12-23). "Barmy Army promise to target Mitchell Johnson during Boxing Day Test". Daily Telegraph (Australia). 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.
- ^ 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.