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Six fiery spells that defined Mitchell Johnson

Getty

Getty

Batsmen around the world let out a sigh of relief on Tuesday when Australian strike bowler Mitchell Johnson announced his retirement from international cricket.

Rumours of an exit at his home Test began in the days leading up to the announcement. It was confirmed with a low-key statement issued to media on the final day of the WACA Test against New Zealand.

“I feel now is the best time to say goodbye,” Johnson said.

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“I have been lucky enough to have had a wonderful career and enjoyed every moment of playing for my country. 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.”

Johnson was renowned for his express pace, ferocious bounce, ability to inflict pain and capacity to intimidate.

He finishes as one of Australia’s most revered pacemen, his 37 wickets in the 2013-14 Ashes burned into the memory of most cricket fans.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson finished with a career haul of 313 Test wickets. Photo: Getty

So something was clearly amiss in Perth, where the left-armer loped to the crease and looked somewhat indifferent as New Zealand walloped him all over the park.

“I’ve given the decision a lot of thought. Beyond this match, I’m just not sure that I can continue competing consistently at the level required to wear the Baggy Green,” he said.

“My career has certainly had its up and downs but I can honestly say I have given it my all and am proud of everything I have achieved.

“To win an Ashes series and a cricket World Cup is something I will treasure forever.

“My family have been by my side throughout and I could not have achieved all I have without their support.”

Johnson finished with a tally of 313 Test wickets after taking two scalps on the final day of the WACA Test on Tuesday.

Lillee (355), Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708) are the only men above him on the list of Australia’s greatest wicket-takers.

He finishes as a two-time ICC Cricketer of the Year, having collected the gong in 2009 and 2014.

South Africa, Perth, December 2008

South Africa possessed one of the best batting line-ups in the world when they travelled to Australia in 2008-09, but Johnson had little time for such dignitaries. His first innings haul of 8-61 included a frightening spell of 5-2 in the shadows of the second evening.

South Africa, Durban, March 2009

Fresh from breaking Graeme Smith’s hand in Sydney two months earlier, Johnson fractured it again in a devastating opening spell. Along with forcing the South African captain to retire hurt in the third over, he also knocked over Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla in the first over of the home team’s first innings to have them reeling.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson shook up South African skipper Graeme Smith in Durban in 2009. Photo: Getty

England, Perth, December 2010

Australia had precious little to be excited about early on the second day in Perth. Down 1-0 to England after two Tests, they were well on the path to defeat after being knocked over for 245 in the first innings. Enter Johnson. His 6-38 included a fearsome spell of fast, inswinging deliveries that rendered him 4-7 either side of lunch.

England, Brisbane, November 2013

After eight months out of the Test team, few believed a recall to the Australian side in 2013 would bring with it any real revitalisation. How wrong they were. Johnson’s 37 wickets in the 2013-14 Ashes series began with a nine-wicket haul across the two innings at the Gabba. After outsmarting Jonathan Trott before lunch, his dismissals of Michael Carberry, Joe Root and Graeme Swann in successive overs sparked a collapse England never recovered from all summer.

England, Adelaide, December 2013

Johnson all but ended England’s Ashes hopes a fortnight later in Adelaide. While his first-innings figures of 7-40 said enough, it was the manner in which he dismantled five English batsmen in 18 balls that placed him in English folklore.

South Africa, Centurion, February 2014

Fresh from destroying England and reclaiming the Ashes urn, Johnson helped take Australia to No.1 when he took 22 wickets in the three-Test series against South Africa in 2014. His opening four overs of the first Test rendered three key wickets for 10 runs, while he also broke Ryan McLaren’s arm, dismissed him, JP Duminy and AB de Villiers in a wicked second-innings spell to win the first Test for the Aussies.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson was at his devastating best in 2014. Photo: Getty

-with AAP

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