Aussie cricketer and beast of a fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has announced he’s officially retiring from all levels of cricket, today.
[jwplayer 5jao5UgW]
Writing for Perth Now, Johnson explained that he had hoped to continue playing for various Twenty20 competitions until the middle of 2019 but had to face the fact that his body “is starting to shut down.”
The 36-year-old also shared he had suffered a few back problems during the 2018 Indian Premier League tournament.
“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.”
…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.”
Johnson went on to thank Perth Scorchers, the Western Australian Cricket Association, and all of his fans for everything they had done for him.
“I will never forget the atmosphere at the WACA Ground or the smiling faces of the kids.”
Johnson made his Test debut for Australia in 2007 and retired in 2015 after 73 Tests and 313 wickets to his name. In 2009 and 2014 he was named Cricketer of the Year, the second player to ever earn the achievement twice, after Ricky Ponting. A huge year for the legend, Johnson also scooped up the 2014 ICC Test Player of the Year award and the 2014 Allan Border Medal.
Despite being a bowler, Johnson spun magic against South Africa in Cape Town in 2009 where he scored an unbeaten 123 runs, it would be his only century. Unsurprisingly, this was one of Johnson’s “stand-out memories”. Other highlights include the 2013/2014 Ashes summer and the World Cups.
Even though he’s fully retiring, the legend still has his competitive streak and hopes to channel it into a “coaching or mentoring role in the future”.
You can read Johnson’s full letter, below:
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/1030995907192352768
Throwback to the 2010-2011 Ashes Series when England thought we were beaten and then Johnson hit the pitch and took six bloody wickets for only 38 runs in the first-innings of the match.
Whatta legend.
