Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson announces his retirement

Mitchell Johnson announces his retirement

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ongoing second Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.

"I feel now is the best time to say goodbye,” Johnson said in a statement released shortly before the 5th day play resumed at the WACA.

"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.

Johnson, 34, has struggled in the both the Tests against New Zealand, taking just five wickets at an average of over 60.

He leaves the game as Australia’s fourth-highest Test wicket taker with a current tally of 311 in his 73rd Tests. Only Dennis Lillee (355), Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708) have taken more Test wickets than Johnson.

Mitchell Johnson International Statistics

# 311 wickets from 73 Tests at an average of 28.10

# 239 wickets from 153 ODIs at an average of 25.26

# 38 wickets from 30 T20Is at an average of 20.97

# 12-127 - his career-best Test match figures recorded in Australia's win over South Africa in Centurion in 2014

# 8-61 - his career-best Test innings figures recorded in Australia's loss to South Africa in Perth in 2008

# 6-31 - his career-best ODI figures recorded in Australia's win over Sri Lanka in Kandy in 2011

# 156.8 - kilometres per hour, the fastest speed his bowling was clocked at. It came in the 2013 Boxing Day Test against England.