Mitchell Johnson retirement will help batsmen sleep easier, says Sir Ian Botham
Legendary all-rounder Ian Botham said that Mitchell Johnson took a really good decision to retire from international cricket and he respect him for the same, reports NDTV. Botham concentrated on the fact that Johnson himself came to know that his body can’t produce those pace like fire spells and immediately called it a day.
The Australian fast bowler announced his retirement mid-way through the second Test match against New Zealand at the WACA ground in Perth. He called a press meet before the last day of the Test and told everyone that it’s a good time to say good-bye.
"I wish him all the very, very best. He's been a very good cricketer. After pounding that body every day of the week you eventually hit a wall. It took me no longer than five minutes to decide to retire. He will have said 'I can't do it anymore, I'm not enjoying it, it's time to get out'. I respect him for that," Botham said.
Botham talked about Johnson’s aggressive approach to his bowling and that he was always ready to bowl whenever the team wanted him.
"There will be a lot of batsmen sleeping a lot better tonight. He's probably the best strike bowler who has been around in recent years. He was the go-to bowler for Australia - the captain throws him the ball and says 'look, we need a wicket desperately'; Johnson comes steaming in bowling 90 mph-plus - he's aggressive, he's in your face," he said.
Johnson's stunning haul 37 wickets in the 2013-14 Ashes was the most memorable moment of his career. He was five short of breaking the record for most scalps in an Ashes series, but Rodney Hogg achieved that in six Tests. The fast bowler even clocked his fastest bowling speed of 156.8 km/hr in the Boxing Day Test.
English media, especially the former cricketers present in the commentary were stunned by the marvelous bowling effort by ‘The Breast’ and were left with no words as they saw Johnson making it a one-sided affair.
One more former England’s all-rounder, David Lloyd, praised Johnson and said he was an absolute champion on the field.
"One of the great things about Test cricket is when you see a fast bowler thundering in, bowling 90 mph. That is why they call it a Test. It is a test of your resolve as a batsman.
"He has been an absolute champion, a warrior, for Australia. A thrilling fast bowler. He is a captain's dream, would bowl at any time of the day or any end. And I have always been impressed in particular by the fact that at 5 p.m. in the evening, he is still able to get it through at 90 mph-plus," Lloyd said.
Even former English captain, Nasser Hussain spoke on the occasion and said Johnson kept himself perfect throughout his career. He added when Johnson knew he won’t perform his level best, he announced his retirement.
"He is someone who wants to play at the highest level and not willing to do it at 80 or 90 per cent. He has been through the mill, had some real ups and downs in Test cricket and so now wants to play at his best, nothing else," Hussain said.
Mitchell Johnson’s Career In Numbers
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 73 | 140 | 16001 | 8891 | 313 | 8/61 | 12/127 | 28.4 | 3.3 | 51.1 |
| ODIs | 153 | 150 | 7489 | 6038 | 239 | 6/31 | 6/31 | 25.26 | 4.83 | 31.3 |
| T20Is | 30 | 30 | 656 | 797 | 38 | 3/15 | 3/15 | 20.97 | 7.28 | 17.2 |
| FC | 116 | 23561 | 13175 | 462 | 8/61 | 28.51 | 3.35 | 50.9 | ||
| List A | 184 | 9227 | 7387 | 284 | 6/31 | 6/31 | 26.01 | 4.8 | 32.4 | |
| Twenty20 | 79 | 78 | 1738 | 2254 | 92 | 3/15 | 3/15 | 24.5 | 7.78 | 18.8 |