Mitchell Johnson says that until playing for Western Australia in the last few weeks he was not certain to continue as an international player this summer.

Johnson agreed that the cumulative wear and tear of the England tour nearly brought his illustrious career to an end.

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“It [retirement] definitely crossed my mind,” Johnson told Grandstand ahead of play on day three of the opening Test against New Zealand at the Gabba.

“The six-week period I had at home was quite difficult to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play or not.

“I played the Matador Cup games and the [Sheffield] Shield game and started to get a bit of fire in the belly and I really wanted to see how I was going to feel out here.”

Former Australia opener and Grandstand commentator Chris Rogers yesterday said he had expected Johnson was going to join him in retirement at The Oval in August.

Johnson confirmed that the generational shift that occurred in England, with five senior players farewelling the international game, stirred his interest in following suit.

“Playing a lot of cricket with a lot of those guys that had retired, it definitely made me question myself,” he said.

“I remember, I guess, standing out in the last Test in England at The Oval and thinking what Bucky [Rogers] and Michael [Clarke] were going to be thinking with their last couple of deliveries.

“I started to feel that a little bit as well.”

Johnson pledged full commitment to the cause for “this summer”, citing the importance of his experience around a younger Australian change room under new captain Steve Smith.

“I’m really ready for this summer now, I think getting out there and bowling, I feel like I am committed – I am committed – and I am raring,” he said.

“It is a really important period for me around this squad with a lot of young guys in there.

“Smithy being a young captain, I feel like I can help out in a lot of ways so I feel as long as I am committed to it and want to play then I will be here for the summer and try and help out as much as I can.”

Johnson, who turned 34 last week, made his debut at the Gabba in November 2007.

Johnson this morning claimed a wicket with his first ball of the day, when Watling knicked though to wicket keeper Peter Nevill.

Watling was out caught behind for 32, sending Mark Craig in to face Johnson.

The wicket put Johnson in line to surpass Australian quick Brett Lee’s total of 310 Test wickets.