Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson Biography

Mitchell Johnson is a former cricketer from Australia, who was born on 2nd November 1981 in Queensland, Australia. The left-handed fast bowler bats left-handed down the order. Currently retired from the international cricket, he is the fourth-highest test wicket-taker for Australia.

Background

A 17-year-old Mitchell caught the eye of former Australian pacer Dennis Lillee at a pace camp. After selection for the Australia U-19 team, Johnson played in England in 1999 and performed decently in 2000 ICC U-19 World Cup.

Soon he shook hand with fame taking three wickets in his first-class debut for Queensland against touring New Zealand in November 2001. He endured agonising time losing the contract with Queensland due to back injuries and made his way in the team in 2004-2005 season before getting selected for Australia A’s tour of Pakistan in 2005.

Debut

Johnson remained wicket-less in his ODI debut against New Zealand in Christchurch in December 2005, conceding 64 runs in 9 overs. He was having a lean period in his first six ODIs until he used sheer pace to wreck India’s star-studded batting scalping four wickets for 11 runs in DLF Cup, 2006 in Kuala Lumpur.

The left-arm pacer picked one wicket in T20I debut against Zimbabwe in September 2007.

Two months later, Johnson finally won the baggy green against Sri Lanka at Gabba and picked four wickets on his debut test.

Rise to Glory

Johnson preserved his brutal best for the Proteas in the back-to-back home and away series, scalping 33 wickets in six tests. He claimed 11 wickets in the 2008 Boxing Day Test at Perth, with a phenomenal effort of seven wickets in 12 runs.

In February 2009, touring South Africa, Johnson exhibited all-round ability by notching his maiden test ton (123*), along with another 96 not out in the third test at Cape Town.

Johnson traumatised England with his menacing pace and bouncers in the 2013-14 Ashes, claiming 37 wickets at 13.97. Johnson carried his form to South Africa in 2014 taking 22 wickets in three tests.

Mitchell Johnson played an instrumental role in Australia’s 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, win especially in the semi-final (2/50) and final (3/30) providing timely breakthroughs.

Low Points

Inconsistency was an issue for Johnson. He had a disastrous Ashes campaign in 2009 in England. Especially, in the first innings of second test Johnson conceded 132 runs at 6.09 RPO.

Back home, Johnson’s lack of effectiveness in the first Ashes test in 2010 at Gabba saw him getting axed in the second test. The back and toe injury affected Johnson’s career at crucial times.

Club Career

Johnson played 20 first-class matches for Queensland Bull during 2001-2007 before shifting to Western Australia. He spent first four Big Bash League seasons at Brisbane Heats and joined Perth Scorchers in 2016.

In the Indian Premier League, he represented Kings XI Punjab. Moving to Mumbai Indians, he won three titles with them.

He was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 IPL auction.

Johnson's Record in Numbers

Mitchell Johnson was selected as the ‘ICC Cricketer of the Year’ twice, in 2009 and 2014. Johnson is the second Australian to have 300-plus test wickets and 2000-plus test runs.

Retirement

Johnson retired from ODI after winning 2015 World Cup, with 239 wickets in 153 matches and played his last T20I against England in August 2013.

He retired from all formats of international cricket taking three wickets in his last test match against New Zealand at WACA in November 2015, to finish with 313 scalps in 73 tests.

Post-retirement, he continues to play BBL for Perth Scorchers and is planning to play in the IPL and Caribbean T20 league.