Former Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson, who terrified England during the 2013 and 2014 Ashes series and captured 313 test wickets through a roller-coaster career, has retired from all cricket, the bowler said on Sunday.
Left-armer Johnson retired from internationals in 2015 but remained a useful bowler in Twenty 20 competitions, including for Perth Scorchers in the Australian ‘Big Bash’ tournament.
He struggled with a back injury while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s Indian Premier League, however, and said in a column on Sunday that he felt his body was starting to give way. “It’s over.
I have bowled my final ball and I am taking my final wicket.
“Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket,”
Johnson said he hoped to remain involved in the game and would look to take up coaching roles.
“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,” he said.
