SYDNEY – Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson said Sunday he wasretiring from all forms of cricket as his body was “starting to shut down”,almost three years after he stepped down from the international game.
The 36-year-old quit Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) team the PerthScorchers last month, but had not ruled out playing in the Indian PremierLeague or other domestic T20 competitions.
“It’s over. I’ve bowled my final ball. Taken my final wicket. Today Iannounce my retirement from all forms of cricket,” Johnson wrote for thePerth Now news website on Sunday.
“I had hoped to continue playing in various Twenty20 competitions aroundthe world until perhaps the middle of next year. But the fact is my body isstarting to shut down.”
Johnson said he experienced back problems during this year’s IPL and “thatwas probably a sign that it was time to move on”.
“I’m ready to break clear of playing cricket and move on to the next periodof my life,” he added.
“If I can’t play at 100 percent then I can’t give my best to the team. Andfor me it’s always been about the team.”
Johnson said he would consider channelling his “competitive edge” into acoaching or mentoring role in the future.
Renowned for his ferocious pace, Johnson announced his retirement frominternational cricket during the Test series against New Zealand in Perthin November 2015, saying he had lost the hunger to play the long form ofthe game.
From the coastal Queensland city of Townsville, Johnson made his firstclass debut with the state in 2001 before getting his start in the Testteam in 2007.
His best haul was 8-61 against South Africa, at the WACA in 2008.
Described by long-time mentor Dennis Lillee as a “once in a generation”bowler, the former ICC Cricketer of the Year played 73 Tests for Australia,claiming 313 wickets.
He also claimed 239 wickets in 153 one-day internationals, and 38 wicketsin 30 T20 internationals for Australia.
Johnson joined the Scorchers following his retirement from internationalcricket. In the IPL, he had stints with the Mumbai Indians, Kolkata KnightRiders, Kings XI Punjab. – APP/AFP