‘All-time great’ Aussie bowler Mitchell Johnson calls it quits

Searing Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson on Tuesday announced his retirement from all international cricket at the end of the ongoing test against New Zealand, joining a host of fellow veterans who recently called it quits.

“I feel now is the best time to say goodbye,” the 34-year-old said ahead of the fifth day’s play at Perth’s Waca Ground.

“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.”

He follows Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson into retirement, who all quit after the recent Ashes series against England.

Speculation had been rife about Johnson’s future ahead of the second test against the Kiwis, with the bowler admitting last week that he thought about retirement “most days”.

On his adopted home ground which has been the scene of some of his most lethal spells during a 73-test career, he returned dismal figures of one-for-157 in the first innings against New Zealand.

His sole wicket moved the left-armer past Brett Lee and into fourth place on the all-time test wickets list for Australia, with 311. He sits behind Dennis Lillee (355), Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708).