Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Johnson drove a van for a living before achieving cricketing glory...

Last updated on: November 17, 2015 15:06 IST

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday.

Here's all you wanted to know about the player who gained cricketing glory by overcoming injuries and battling form issues...

Australia's Mitchell Johnson waves to family and friends on Day 5 of the second Test match between Australia and New Zealand at WACA in Perth on Tuesday

IMAGE: Australia's Mitchell Johnson waves to family and friends on Day 5 of the second Test against New Zealand at WACA in Perth on Tuesday. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

* Mitchell Guy Johnson was born on November 2, 1981 in Townsville, Queensland. Almost six feet, three inches tall (1.89m), he bowled and batted left-handed.

Aus speedster Johnson announces retirement from international cricket

Teammates, opponents pay rich tribute to 'special' Johnson

* Spotted by Dennis Lillee as a raw 17-year-old, the pace bowling great declaring Johnson a "once-in-a-lifetime prospect".

* Suffered a string of back stress fractures early in his career and drove a van for a living at one stage after losing his contract with Queensland.

Mitchell Johnson bats

IMAGE: Mitchell Johnson bats. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

* Made his One-Day International debut in 2005, going on to play 153 matches in the format, culminating in Australia's triumph in the 2015 World Cup final, his final outing. Took 239 wickets at an average of 25.26.

* Made Test debut against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in November 2007, the first of 73 matches in the Baggy Green cap which netted him 311 wickets at an average of 28.52**. He took 12 five-wicket hauls.

* A more than useful tail-end batsman, Johnson scored 2,036 runs at an average of 22.13 with one century**, an unbeaten 123 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2009.

Mitchell Johnson with the ICC Cricketer Of The year award at The ICC Awards 2009 held at The Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on October 1, 2009

IMAGE: Mitchell Johnson with the ICC Cricketer of the year award, at the ICC Awards 2009, held at The Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on October 1, 2009. Photograph: Julian Herbert/Getty Images

* Named International Cricket Council (ICC) Player of the Year in 2009 and 2014. His former captain, Ricky Ponting, was the only other player to win it twice.

* Fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep of England and a 2-1 series win in South Africa between August 2013 and September 2014, taking 59 Test wickets at an average of 15.23.

* Moved to Western Australia to play state cricket in 2008. Played seven Tests at the WACA, taking 43 wickets** with best figures of 8-61 against South Africa in 2008.

**Pending the final day's play in the second Test against New Zealand

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.