Mitchell Johnson retires: Twitter reactions
Mitchell Johnson retires: Twitter reactions
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.
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/666661000096051200
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/666659315676131328
https://twitter.com/YCCCDizzy/status/666510702853648384
A massive congratulations to @mitchjohnson398 on 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