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Flat pitches forced Mitchell Johnson's retirement, says Ryan Harris

Harris and Johnson formed a deadly combination for Australia

Retired Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris believes that Mitchell Johnson might have continued playing if it wasn’t for the flat pitches in Australia, reports ABC Grandstand.

Johnson announced his retirement prior to the final day of the second Test against New Zealand, which ended in a draw. Harris, who was forced to retire prior to this year’s Ashes thinks that the left-arm pacer’s figures of 157/1 on a flat WACA pitch might have had something to do with his sudden retirement.

"I'd known for a while he'd thought about potential retirement," Harris told Grandstand. "Speaking to earlier in the week, he wanted to keep playing for as long as he could.

"There is a period during that Test that he's ether lost the fire or something wasn't right. He’s made that tough decision. As an elite athlete doing what we did, and what Mitchell did, we though it was the best job in the world and you want to keep doing it forever.“

Australia and New Zealand combined for 1672 runs in the second Test, which is the most that has been scored at the WACA and Harris believes that pitches which are decked in favour of the batsmen might have prompted Johnson to wonder if it was really worth playing on.

"I am sure that was part of his decision making. I am sure there are probably a few other bowlers around thinking the same thing," he said. "I think the wickets are ridiculously flat, especially when you are playing a home series.

"It would be nice to play conditions that we are probably used to a bit more, with a bit more bounce, and a bit more pace in the wicket.”

The 36-year-old was “shattered” as he would no longer get the opportunity to see Johnson bowl. “I'm shattered for Mitchell. He's a very good mate of mine, I would have loved to have seen him gone on," Harris said. “I loved watching him bowl.”

“I got to know him about eight or nine years ago. He's just a genuine bloke and a guy who genuinely bowls fast. The pace he generates is unbelievable. My job was to tie down the batsman and his job was to attack.”

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