Pace legend Mitchell Johnson says ‘It’s over’
Former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the age of 36.
Johnson revealed that he had hoped for a few more seasons of T20 cricket but his body told him it was time to give up the game.
The quick penned his own goodbye, published by Perth News. In it he wrote: “It’s over. I’ve bowled my final ball. Taken my final wicket. Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket.
“I had hoped to continue playing in various Twenty20 competitions around the world until perhaps the middle of next year. But the fact is my body is starting to shut down.”
Johnson played his last match for Australia in 2015 but has continued playing Big Bash League and Indian Premier League cricket. It was after the IPL this year that he really felt he could not continue.
ALSO READ: Trott writes: Facing Johnson was terrifying
He wrote: “During this year’s Indian Premier League tournament I had a few back problems and that was probably a sign that it was time to move on.
“When I sat down with new Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges recently to discuss my future, he was interested in me playing on again this summer. I did believe I could still be helpful around the playing group with my experience. But I think mentally I’m done as well.
“I’m ready to break clear of playing cricket and move on to the next period of my life. He has recently been through retiring himself and I think he understood that when you’re done, you’re done.
“If I can’t play at 100 per cent then I can’t give my best to the team. And for me it’s always been about the team.”
He took 313 wickets in 73 Tests for Australia to go with the 239 wickets he got in 153 ODIs and 38 in 30 T20Is.
Johnson has been a big part of the Scorchers becoming the most successful of the BBL outfits bowling match-winning spells in each campaign.
He thanked the organization for their support: “I’d like to thank the Scorchers for the last two fantastic summers and the WACA for everything my adopted cricket home has done for me over the past decade. Christina Matthews and the team there have always bent over backwards to help me out.
“A huge thank you to the fans as well. I will never forget the atmosphere at the WACA Ground or the smiling faces of the kids.”
Johnson hopes to continue being involved with cricket in a coaching or mentoring role and he should have no shortage of job offers.
He concluded: “My competitive urge hasn’t left me and hopefully that’s something I can use to channel into a coaching or mentoring role in the future. I’m a believer in sticking to your strengths and cricket is my strength.”
Latest
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.