Cricket: Left-arm quick Johnson pulls pin on stellar career

Mitchell Johnson. Photo / AP

Time inevitably calls every sportsperson and Mitchell Johnson recognised his had come.

The left-arm quick, Australia's fourth-most successful test bowler, had hinted he knew he'd just about reached the end before the second test began in Perth.

He bowled like it in New Zealand's first innings - listless, poor body language - and the result was his worst test performance on the ground.

The 34-year-old told the Australian team on Monday night in a two-hour, behind-closed-doors meeting. It is unusual, but not unique for players to pull the pin mid-series. England spinner Graeme Swann did it last time in Australia in 2013, also, coincidentally, in Perth.

"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," Johnson said.

"I've given the decision a lot of thought. Beyond this match, I'm just not sure that I can continue competing consistently at the level required to wear the Baggy Green."

Only Shane Warne (708 wickets), Glenn McGrath (563) and Dennis Lillee (355) stand ahead of Johnson among Australians, and he has enjoyed his stellar times, notably in the Ashes series of 2013-14 when he took 37 wickets at 13.97 and blew England out of the rubber.

Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott gave him the accolade of bringing excitement back to the game and pointed to the significance of fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc stepping forward in this series.

"If anything, we saw the changing of the guard here two days ago, with Mitchell Starc bowling consistently 150-odd kilometres an hour," McDermott said. "Hopefully Mitchell Starc can have as an illustrious a career as Mitchell Johnson has."

Johnson was rapid, threatening and a determined competitor. His forehead pressing hard against the batting grille of Scott Styris at Napier in a tense confrontation a few seasons ago demonstrated his no-holding-back approach.

The New Zealand players gave him a guard of honour when he came out to bat for the last time yesterday.

He'll be missed, but his time was up. It showed in his bowling here and he's likely got in just before the selectors gave him the message.