Mitchell Johnson thinking about retirement but Dennis Lillee record in sights
Sunday 29 November 2015 10:09, UK
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has made no decisions about his future despite admitting he constantly thinks about retirement.
Johnson turned 34 last week and previously revealed he nearly called it day after Australia's Ashes defeat in England last summer, but his hunger for the game meant at least one more summer of international cricket.
He claimed four wickets in the first Test win over New Zealand in Brisbane earlier this week and now heads to a happy hunting ground, with the second match in the Trans-Tasman series taking place at the WACA in Perth.
But it was the future on Johnson's mind as he spoke to the press before Friday's match.
Asked about retirement, Johnson said: "I think about it most days. It's probably getting to that time.
"But to be honest I'm just trying to go out there and play each game and enjoy it. Who knows? It could be after this game. I might just go 'I'm done'."
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"I'm still enjoying my cricket at the moment, I'm enjoying the challenges.It's 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'm performing well and doing my job in the team [I'll stay]. Mentally I'm feeling pretty good.
"I started my career in Australia; I played my first Test at the Gabba. I think I'd like to finish my career in Australia if I have the choice. It's just whether I get that choice or not - not many people do."
Johnson's Brisbane haul brought him level with Brett Lee on 310 Test wickets, and he admitted the chance to catch mentor Dennis Lillee, who has 345, is one target that could keep him going a little longer.
"Dennis' is a pretty remarkable career. That's pretty awesome … I'll have a crack (at it) but if I get there or not, who knows," he said.
"I'm even with Brett Lee now. You never know, I could go a few Tests without wickets and that'd be the end of it.
"That wouldn't be a bad thing either. Brett was an idol for me. I remember saying when I first got into really serious cricket that I wanted to bowl as fast as Brett Lee, so to be level with him now is pretty awesome. I never thought I'd reach that target, especially a few years ago I wouldn't have even thought about getting close to 300 wickets."
Australia and New Zealand's second Test, in Perth, is live on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30am on Friday morning.
