Mitchell Johnson considering retirement; criticises Boult's performance in the opening Test
Johnson, who has 42 wickets at an average of 20 in six Tests at the WACA – his most impressive return at any Test venue, has said that retirement is on his mind and added that the second Test at the WACA against New Zealand might just be his last one, reported cricket.com.au.
"I think about it most days," Johnson said when asked about whether he had contemplated retirement at the end of the failed Ashes campaign earlier this year. Johnson went on to say that he is trying to take every match as it comes and enjoy the game as much as possible.
"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 (WACA Test). I might just go ‘I am done’, but I’m still enjoying my cricket at the moment and enjoying the challenges,” Johnson said.
The left-armer also said that it was great to see many youngsters in the team and feels that the is a great time for Australian cricket.
"It is a really good time for Australian cricket with these young guys in the team and I want to be a part of that. As long as I am performing well and doing my job in the team, then mentally I am good."
On the 42 wickets he has in 20 Tests at the WACA this is what he had to say.
“I think it's a great ground to play at," he said, as reported by ABC News. “I think most cricket teams would say the same thing. It's a great place to play cricket."
Johnson surprised by Boult’s performance
Aussie pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson said Australia were surprised by the substandard performance of Trent Boult at the Gabba during the first Test and are planning to continue piling the pressure on the Black Caps in the rest of the series as well.
Ranked sixth in the ICC Bowler Rankings in Tests, Boult was highly ineffective and lacked his usual pace and swing for large periods during the first Test in Brisbane. Boult finished with figures of 2-188 during the first Test, conceding over five per over.
His Australian counterpart, Johnson suspected his fellow left-armer might have been affected due to predominantly playing ODI’s before coming into the series.
"I was surprised with the way he bowled full stop," Johnson said, as reported by cricket.com.au. "We talked about him in our team meeting. He generally gets the ball nice and full and he has got a good pace. In one-dayers, you have got 10 overs and you can really go for it.”
Johnson went on to add that maybe his back injury also had something to do with his dismal performance as he wasn’t able to generate the kind of pace he normally does.
"He has probably been a bit underdone. He has come back from injury and he hasn’t had a lot of cricket. That was good for us that he has played the way he has. From his point of view, he wouldn’t have liked that."
Along with Boult, Tim Southee had a disappointing outing in the first Test after he suffered a back injury and is doubtful for the second Test which begins on Friday. Johnson revealed that the Australians would be looking to pile on the pressure at Perth as well.
"There was pressure on their two opening bowlers really; they are the two spearheads that they rely on so much, Southee and Boult,” Johnson said. "Hopefully we can put that pressure on them (in Perth) if Southee plays as well. He would have been disappointed (by being unable to bowl in Brisbane), and it was certainly a surprise to us that (Boult) didn’t bowl the way he normally does, so we are expecting him to bounce back and bowl well out here."