Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
The 36-year-old, said that he had hoped to continue playing for domestic T20 leagues, but his body has started to shut down, explains Perth Now.
“It’s over. I’ve bowled my final ball. Taken my final wicket. Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket. I had hoped to continue playing in various Twenty20 competitions around the world until perhaps the middle of next year. But the fact is my body is starting to shut down,” Johnson said.
Mitchell Johnson: Why I’m retiring from all levels of cricket https://t.co/AUHvVKlbVN
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) August 19, 2018
The left-arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman admitted that he would not be able to give his 100 percent to the team and that he is now absolutely ready to “break clear of playing cricket.” Reflecting on his future course of action, the paceman indicated that he might take up coaching despite having no official experience.
“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. I’m a believer in sticking to your strengths and cricket is my strength. I don’t know if I’ll be any good at it. I’ve got a lot of experience in cricket and no experience in coaching officially, though I did help out at Wanneroo last summer and I’ve always enjoyed working with young players,” he further added.
Johnson, who bid adieu to international cricket in November 2015 earlier, has appeared in a total of 153 one-day matches taking 239 wickets with an economy rate of 4.84. While in Tests, he has taken 313 wickets with an economy rate of 3.33 in 73 games. He was also a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) winning team Mumbai Indians in 2017.