 As opportunities for slow bowling became infrequent , he contemplated retirement . Although he dismissed Cyril Washbrook in the first over of Victoria 's match against Wally Hammond 's touring England team of 1946 – 47 , he was skeptical about his pace bowling . After that match he did not take a wicket for the next two months . It took further encouragement from Australian captain Don Bradman after he played against Bradman 's South Australians . Bradman told Johnston that the selectors thought highly of his potential as a medium @-@ fast bowler to reinforce the short bursts of pace spearheads Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller and that pace bowlers were in short supply , whereas spinners were plentiful . In the same season , Colin McCool , Ian Johnson , Bruce Dooland and George Tribe had all played in Tests as specialist spinners . Johnston ended the season with only 12 wickets at 33 @.@ 16 from six matches . 
