Published: Nov 17, 2015, 10:22 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 17, 2015, 11:48 PM (IST)
Australia’s tearaway fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has decided to hang his boots. The 34-year-old paceman, who has played in 73 Tests, announced his retirement from international cricket. In a report from AFP, he was quoted as saying, “I feel now is the best time to say goodbye. It’s been an incredible ride. But the ride has to come to an end at some point and to do so here at the WACA is very special.”
Johnson follows Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris and Shane Watson into retirement. It has been a mixed year for the left-arm bowler as he got to see both highs and low. He won the World Cup with Australia at home in March but later lost the Ashes in England. It was because of him that Australia had reclaimed the Ashes in 2013-14 Down Under, when he picked up 37 wickets from 5 Tests at 13.97, as Australia went on to rout England 5-0.
There were speculations ahead of the ongoing Perth Test but Johnson has confirmed that the fifth day of the Test against New Zealand at his home ground will be his last day as an international cricketer. He didn’t hasn’t had a good match so far and went for 1 for 157 in the first innings as Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor went on to score 290. Making his First-Class debut in 2001 and Test debut in 2007, Johnson with 311 wickets is Australia’s fourth highest wicket-taker after Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Dennis Lillee (355). Lillee, his mentor, had once described him as “once in a generation bowler”.
Johnson also has a Test hundred added to his 311 Test wickets and 239 ODI wickets. He will have a big role to play in the second innings if Australia have to win the Perth Test to gain a 2-0 lead and seal the series.
Cricket world through Twitter paid tributes to Johnson for his successful career and we present you with some of the tweets.
@mitchjohnson398 congratulations on a brilliant career, u have been 1 of the best fast bowlers i have seen.truely inspirational! mate
— Umar55 (@mdk_gul) November 17, 2015
How @MitchJohnson398 did a demolition job on English Cricket .. !! @TelegraphSport https://t.co/tDw9IhvzAr — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 17, 2015
One of the top left arm fast bowler of our generation @MitchJohnson398 great playing against u and with u @mipaltan congrats on gr8 career
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) November 17, 2015
A big thank you to my supporters for backing me all the way! I will also reply to my msg’s in the next few days. #overwhelmed — Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 17, 2015
Thank you everyone for their msg’s & to all my teammates & opponents who I’ve been privileged to play with & against, it’s been fun! Thanks
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 17, 2015
@MitchJohnson398 congrats on a great career, pleasure to have had the chance to play with and against you. Hope you get that Harley! — Luke Ronchi (@ronchi04) November 17, 2015
This guy was 1 scary bastard to face! Congrats on a gr8 career Bud! 1 of my favorite opponents! @MitchJohnson398 pic.twitter.com/LY8HHlwNkA
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) November 17, 2015
congrats to @MitchJohnson398 on a wonderful career!great athlete.all the best — Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) November 17, 2015
Congrats to @MitchJohnson398 on a great career. All the best with your future mate. pic.twitter.com/dLIlialw3m
— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) November 17, 2015
Been a pleasure playing against @MitchJohnson398 never gave u much and a hell of a competitor.. Congrats on an outstanding career mate. — JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) November 17, 2015
We saw the end of a fantastic career today, congrats @MitchJohnson398 you’ve captivated crowds around the world. Batsmen can rest easy now! — Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) November 17, 2015
No one more exhilarating to watch than @MitchJohnson398 in full flight. Inspired many fast bowlers, privilege playing with you mate.
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) November 17, 2015
@MitchJohnson398 What a champion!!! Congratulations on a fabulous career for the Baggy Greens. Underneath the Southern Cross we stand — Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) November 17, 2015
Massive congrats to @MitchJohnson398 on such a sensational career – always wanted to bowl like you. #gamechanger #ThanksMitch #AUSvNZ
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 17, 2015
Congratulations @MitchJohnson398 on a fantastic career. #seriousheat — Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) November 17, 2015
Congrats on a wonderful career @MitchJohnson398 .Was always a tough opponent. Enjoy your retirement and you can look back with pride
— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) November 17, 2015
@MitchJohnson398 showing everyone what they will be missing…bowling some serious pace at the moment #gas — Alex Tudor (@alextudorcoach) November 17, 2015
Well done Mitch @MitchJohnson398 on a wonderful career. Happy retirement!
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) November 17, 2015
My favorite left arm quick is retiring from international cricket. @MitchJohnson398 you’re a competitor on the field but a gem off it. #398 — Wayne Parnell (@WayneParnell) November 17, 2015
All the England lads will be celebrating they won’t have to face @MitchJohnson398 again in Australia…. Great career & a Great man..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 17, 2015
Congratulations @MitchJohnson398 on a fantastic career. Well done pal! #topbowler #topbloke — Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) November 17, 2015
Congrats @MitchJohnson398 on a remarkable careerAlways enjoyed the onfield tussle with you mate.Good luck with your retirement
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 17, 2015
What an athlete! One of the best I ever played with. To @mitchjohnson398 & jessicabratichjohnson… https://t.co/siXHUNY4kg — Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 17, 2015
Will miss Mitchell Johnson. They don’t make many like him anymore. The fast, scary kind. — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 17, 2015
Mitchell Johnson announces retirement. A lot of batsmen around the world will breathe easy — Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 17, 2015
Congratulations to @MitchJohnson398 on a great career. — Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) November 17, 2015
This Test has had everything. Great display of batting, fight back by NZ, one of the fastest balls bowled & @MitchJohnson398 retires #AUSvNZ — Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) November 17, 2015
Incredible athlete! Congrats on a magnificent career @MitchJohnson398 — AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 17, 2015
Good luck legend @MitchJohnson398 — Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) November 17, 2015
What a legend @MitchJohnson398 is. Will miss you steaming in for Aus. Congratulations on all you’ve achieved!! — Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) November 17, 2015
Well done @MitchJohnson398 on a fantastic career.Great competitor and a incredible athlete.You can be very proud of what you achieved #gas — Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) November 17, 2015
Good luck to @MitchJohnson398 who has always been a special bowler. Got to know him well at @mipaltan and enjoyed his aggressive approach! — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 17, 2015
Great career @mitchjohnson398 !!! #fastandnasty Enjoy the next chapter https://t.co/j5m3BE3o7a — Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) November 17, 2015
A massive congratulations to @mitchjohnson398 on a wonderful career. It was incredible to play in the same team as you. Well done mate. Happy retirement! #legend A photo posted by Brett Lee (@brettlee_58) on
unemotional scenes from @MitchJohnson398 at WACA Its his last warmup for Australia! #PositivesFromRetirements #ByeMJ pic.twitter.com/Gb7dTwizHZ — Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) November 17, 2015
Well played @MitchJohnson398 on a fantastic career… We will never forget those ferocious spells.. @CricketAus pic.twitter.com/DkDnn7133d — Damien Martyn (@damienmartyn) November 17, 2015
Man @MitchJohnson398 retiring. What an absolute legend. Changed the game. Nightmare to face. Stoked to have played with him. Well done! — Trent Copeland (@copes9) November 17, 2015
Massive congrats to great mate @MitchJohnson398 on a fantastic career. Will be a few batsmen in the world breathing easier! Congrats mate! — Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) November 17, 2015
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