Mitchell Johnson will never again appear in an Australian ground in the capacity of a player after calling time on his career in the Big Bash League, his manager has revealed, primarily due to the extended nature of BBL 08, reported Cricinfo.
The tournament’s new format features 14 games in a home-and-away league system, which his manager Sam Halvorsen says “is just too much for someone who turns 37 at the end of the summer.” Johnson led the Perth Scorchers bowling attack for the past two seasons.
There was, however, no statement on Johnson’s availability for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League although he has recently signed up for the T10 League in UAE, slated for December.
Johnson played 19 games for the Scorchers, taking 20 wickets at an average of 22.75. His last game for the franchise was in their semi-final loss in BBL 07. In BBL 06, Johnson’s three-wicket haul in the semi-final and figures of 1-13 in the final secured Scorchers’ third championship title.
Earlier this year, Johnson had pulled out of his commitments with Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League. He retired from international and first-class cricket in November 2015, with a career haul of 590 international wickets and 465 first-class scalps.
