Perth Test Could be Mitchell Johnson's Last, Feels Mark Taylor
Mitchell Johnson had a poor show in front of his home crowd at the WACA during the second Test against New Zealand and former Australia skipper Mark Taylor believes that Johnson could retire after the Test.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: November 16, 2015 11:00 PM IST
Mitchell Johnson's disappointing performance in the Perth Test against New Zealand has raised plenty of eyebrows and speculation on his future. Australia's pace spearhead ended up with figures of 1/157 from 28 overs at an expensive economy rate of 5.60 in the Kiwi first innings. Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor feels Perth Test could be Johnson's last.
Speaking to Cricket Australia, Taylor said, "Yesterday really tested him. One starts to think, 'Should I still be playing, I'm now 34, the body's getting a bit older, I'm getting a bit sorer, do I still really want to do it? ' I think we're getting really close to seeing the last of Johnson."(Johnson May Spell Trouble for New Zealand)
Johnson has struggled play his role in the series. During the 265-run stand between Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, Johnson struggled to contain runs and failed to produce his trademark aggression and hostility. This listless display has worried many people.
Heading into the Test, Johnson had dropped a hint about retirement in an interview to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I think about retirement most days, it's probably getting to that time. 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."(Johnson Admits Thinking About Retirement)
Johnson has enjoyed a barren run for the past one and a half years. Following his brilliant displays in the 2013/14 Ashes where he picked up 37 wickets and 22 wickets in South Africa, Johnson has struggled.
He put in a lackluster show during the series against India, missing the Sydney Test due to a hamstring injury. In the 2015 Ashes in England, he struggled for consistency. Johnson's two poor performances in Brisbane and Perth have only made speculations about retirement stronger.
Johnson recently went past Brett Lee to become the fourth-best Australian bowler in Tests. Currently, he has 311 wickets from 73 Tests.