Johnson retirement appears imminent: Taylor

[HippoSucks]

Former Australia captain says Johnson's mindset is a sign the end may be nigh

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor says he wouldn't be surprised if this second Test in Perth is Mitchell Johnson's last.

Johnson said leading into the Test that he was thinking about retirement "most days" and Taylor said such a mindset was a sign that the end is nigh.

The 34-year-old endured a forgettable day with the ball yesterday, as Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson feasted upon some loose deliveries from the left-armer, who finished the day with figures of 1-131 from 24 overs. 

Quick single: Black Caps prey on loose Aussie bowling

"Once you start thinking about giving the game away it’s always a worrying sign, because days like Australia have had over the last day and a half, 130-odd overs in the field, they weigh heavily on you," he said before play on day four in his commentary role with Channel Nine.

"You start to think, 'Should I still be playing, I’m now 34, the body’s getting a bit older, I’m getting a bit sorer, do I still really want to do it? '

"That day yesterday would have really tested him.

"The good news is he got the wicket but if this is not his last Test, I think we’re getting really close to seeing the last of Mitchell Johnson, which is a shame because he’s been a terrific bowler for Australia."

Watch: Taylor and Williamson prosper on day three

At the end of New Zealand's first innings Johnson had 1-157 - the most runs conceded by an Australia bowler in a Test innings at the WACA - surpassing Mitchell Starc's figures of 6-154 from 2012. 

Johnson has played 15-and-a-half Tests without a five-wicket haul – his last coming in the first Test in South Africa in February 2014 during a golden period for the paceman.

"I think about it most days," Johnson said two days out from the WACA Test. "It is probably getting to be that time, but to be honest I am just trying to play each game and enjoy it like I have said before.

"It could be after this game. I might just go 'I am done', but I'm still enjoying my cricket at the moment and enjoying the challenges."

Quick single: Starc bowls 160kph, breaks bat

Australia's next Test is the historic day-night match in Adelaide, beginning November 27, and while Johnson has been reticent to express exactly how he feels about the use of the pink ball in Test cricket – saying he would refrain from commenting until the match was played – he has expressed his love for the tradition of the game and his subsequent disappointment that such traditions were, in his view, under threat.

"One thing is I love the tradition of Test cricket," Johnson said last month. "Things like the Baggy Green and little things like wearing the woollen jumper – we had an option to change that but we wanted to keep that as a tradition.

"I think tradition in the game is very important."

At 34, it's a testament to his durability that Johnson has already played beyond the age of other outstanding Australian pacemen of recent times in Jason Gillespie (31) and Brett Lee (32), with issues relating to form and injury respectively ending their Test careers.

Glenn McGrath, arguably Australia's greatest-ever quick, retired at 36, while McGrath's rival for that mantle and Johnson's long-time mentor Dennis Lillee pulled up stumps aged 34. 

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cricket Australia.

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/mitchell-johnson-retirement-appears-imminent-says-mark-taylor-second-test-waca-perth/2015-11-16

[HippoSucks]

Johnson isn't very supporting of that day/night and pink ball rubbish so he might retire right at the end of this test. Although the opportunity of playing at Adelaide with the pink ball at night might be too tempting.

Edited November 16, 2015 by HippoSucks

[G_B_]

There are so many options now a days after you quit international cricket

IPL and such tournaments...all stars... not to mention coaching commentary etc. You can easily make a good living after you retire.

Somebody like Sanga could have probably played 2-3 years more for SL cricket. 

 

Edited November 16, 2015 by G_B_

[Laaloo]

There are so many options now a days after you quit international cricket

IPL and such tournaments...all stars... not to mention coaching commentary etc. You can easily make a good living after you retire.

Somebody like Sanga could have probably played 2-3 years more for SL cricket. 

 

Yup. One IPL season and if you put that money into good business/ventures you are pretty much set.

[HippoSucks]

He is officially retiring at the end of this test.

One of the greatest left arm fast bowlers of all time, around the level of Zaheer and Vaas. He was terrible in his rough times but his peak was the best I saw in the last 2 decades (better than Shoaib Akhtar IMO).

Edited November 17, 2015 by HippoSucks

[rkt.india]

He is officially retiring at the end of this test.

One of the greatest left arm fast bowlers of all time, around the level of Zaheer and Vaas. He was terrible in his rough times but his peak was the best I saw in the last 2 decades (better than Shoaib Akhtar IMO).

He was better than Zaheer and Vaas.

[kruiser]

phattu kahin ka! got pasting in one test and no more will to play! Should have shown some spine to bounce back.. 

[MechEng]

Thanks Mitch! Amazing pure fast bowler!

[sscomp32]

Thanks Mitch. I will always Remember this  

[G_B_]

Yup. One IPL season and if you put that money into good business/ventures you are pretty much set.

he probably has enough money already.

[rkt.india]

phattu kahin ka! got pasting in one test and no more will to play! Should have shown some spine to bounce back.. 

how is 34 years old. How many genuine fast bowlers have played beyond this age. Read the article about him being thinking of retirement, it was before Perth test even played. he has seen such bad days several times in the past and still came back.

Edited November 17, 2015 by rkt.india