Cricket World Cup: Mitchell Johnson, 33, talks retirement and admits time is running out on his career
LIFE without Mitchell Johnson might be coming sooner than Australia think, after he dropped a sobering hint that he’s unsure about his future.
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LIFE without Mitchell Johnson might be coming sooner than Australia think, after the world’s premier fast bowler dropped a sobering hint that even he is unsure about his future.
At 33 years of age, the left-arm spearhead says he’s focused on making the most of the World Cup and every opportunity he gets in Australian colours from now on.
That Johnson is voluntarily admitting he may be entering his twilight so soon after such an unprecedented and mesmerising stretch of dominance may come as a major shock to Australian cricket.
Johnson launched Fox Sport’s World Cup channel with a bang at a gala event in Melbourne last night, as he also accused England antagonist Stuart Broad of “setting himself up for a disaster” by predicting Australia would miss next month’s final.
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There is no suggestion Johnson is planning on retiring any time soon, but after a taxing summer on and off the field, he responded to a question about his plans for the coming year by bringing up the retirement topic himself and admitting he’s not looking too far ahead.
“I really am taking it day by day and game by game and making the most of every opportunity I get,” said Johnson as he launched Fox Sport’s World Cup channel with a bang at a gala event in Melbourne last night.
“I’m 33 years of age. There’s questions over when I’m going to retire I’m sure, or if I’m going to play all formats for the next couple of years.
“But I’ve just got to focus on the games I’m playing in and play the best cricket I can and enjoy.”
If the end of the road truly is on the horizon for Johnson, at least Australia’s fast bowling stocks are in good hands.
Johnson toured with the victorious Australians to the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean and — along with Brad Haddin — didn’t play a game.
But from that trip, Johnson learnt what it takes to win the game’s showpiece event and has been imparting his knowledge on Australia’s young quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
“That was the big thing from (2007), the preparation side of things and being able to see how the senior guys like Matty Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee prepared and played the game,” he said.
“The intensity they went at. It was great to see, there was a great feeling in the team and that feeling is in this team right now.
“When we’re on the field (Haddin and I) are leading by example.
“I believe especially with the bowlers, we’ve got a fairly young attack who know what they need to do at this level and we’ll help them through this tournament.”
Johnson wasn’t willing to start a war of words with England after their captain Eoin Morgan dismissed his bowling in the recent one-day tri-series final won convincingly by Australia.
Teammate Steve Smith is adamant Johnson holds a “mental edge” over England.
And the superstar quick won’t be lacking confidence when he turns at the top of his mark at the MCG on Saturday night, in front of 90,000 people at the MCG for the World Cup opener against his bunny side.
“It’s nice to stand in front of a big crowd like that. It’s only happened on a handful of occasions for me,” he said.
“I think there’s going to be a different intensity to the crowds so that will be something I’ll take in when I get out there and get that chance with the ball in my hand and really focus on what I need to do.
“I feel like I’m in a really good situation now where I’ve freshened up and I know where I’m at with my game.
“I’m a fast, aggressive bowler and I think I’ve proved that through my career. I like to bowl short.
“I’ve just got to keep playing my game and not get involved in mind games.”
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