 Standing 188 cm , Johnston had a smooth ten @-@ pace approach to the wicket , with an idiosyncratic dip of his head before the instant of delivery . He had success on moist English pitches , with deliveries from over the wicket because of the increased chances of leg before wicket decisions and to induce edges from balls angling across the batsmen . His stock ball swung into the right @-@ hander , but he mixed this with an away swinger . The late swing in flight which generated the batsman 's uncertainty over the direction in which the ball would move was responsible for the majority of Johnston 's wickets in England . Although his pace was lower than that generated by Lindwall or Miller , he was noted for his accuracy and ability to revert to spin bowling on sticky wickets . Nevertheless , his casual run @-@ up belied a deceptive pace . He possessed strong hands , attributed to his milking of the family 's cattle herd . Johnston was an economical bowler , conceding only 2 @.@ 07 runs per over . He was known for his elbow movement and flailing arms during his delivery action , with one commentator noting " one of these days an umpire will get a poke in the eye " . Johnston also had a reputation of visibly enjoying himself on field , putting his hand on his hips and grinning , regardless of the result of his delivery . According to teammate Alan Walker , Johnston bowled at least as many bouncers as his colleagues , but because of his happy nature , observers thought that he eschewed the short ball . 
