Mitchell Johnson Admits Thinking About Retirement

Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson has admitted that the second Test against New Zealand, which starts in his home town Perth on Friday, could prove to be his last, adding that he now thinks about retirement every day.

The 34-year-old declared his desire to prove he can still trouble the world's best batsmen, starting with New Zealand's Kane Williamson, also confessing he underestimated the Black Caps batsman during the first match of the three-Test series in Brisbane.

"I think about retirement most days, it's probably getting to that time," Johnson was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday before training at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground here.

"But, to be honest, I'm just trying to go out there and play each game and enjoy it... it could be after this game, I might just go, 'I'm done," he said.

Johnson mostly rebuffed questions about whether his thoughts of retirement had extended to specifics, such as whether he would like to do it at the end of a season in Australia, in front of a home crowd.

"I'm not emotional or anything like that now, no, because I'm not retiring. It's always special playing here (in Perth), so it does excite me. I started my career in Australia, played my first Test at the Gabba, and I think I'd like to finish my career in Australia if I have the choice," he said.

"I feel like I'm still performing pretty well. I'd like to get a few more wickets, but I feel like I haven't dropped off too much. Pace is still up there enough, and I feel confident enough in myself."

The speedster has so far claimed 310 wickets in Tests and 239 in One-Day Internationals, after making his debut for Australia in 2005.