Johnson hangs up his boots

Perth : The curtains came down on the career of one of the best pacers to grace the game in recent years as Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson retired from all forms of international cricket at the end of the second Test against New Zealand here on Tuesday.

Johnson, the country's fourth highest Test wicket-taker, informed his teammates of his decision on Monday night, saying that after 73 Tests he felt it was the right time to walk away from the game. “ I feel now is the best time to say goodbye,” Johnson said in a Cricket Australia (CA) statement.

“I have been lucky enough to have had a wonderful career and enjoyed every moment of playing for my country. It’s been an incredible ride. But the ride has to come to an end at some point and to do so here at the WACA is very special,” the left-armer added.

Johnson dismissed New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill on the final day to finish his career with 313 Test wickets. The 34-year-old sits behind only Dennis Lillee (355), Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708) on the list of Australia's greatest wicket-takers.

He was the key figure in Australia's 5-0 Ashes sweep in 2013-14, claiming a staggering 37 wickets across the five Tests and leaving an indelible mark with his pace and intimidation. Johnson was also a useful lower order batsman, scoring 11 half-centuries and one century to amass a career haul of 2,065 runs.