“I think about it most days”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Johnson has admitted that he constantly mulls about retiring.

Johnson also conceded that he came very close to joining Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson into retirement after the recent Ashes series against England, which the Baggy Greens lost 3-2.

“I think about it most days. It’s probably getting to that time,” Johnson told reporters. “But to be honest I’m just trying to go out there and play each game and enjoy it. Who knows? It could be after this game. I might just go ‘I’m done’.

“I’m still enjoying my cricket at the moment, I’m enjoying the challenges.It’s a really good time for Australian cricket with these young guys in the team and I want to be a part of that.

“As long as I’m performing well and doing my job in the team [I’ll stay]. Mentally I’m feeling pretty good.

“I started my career in Australia; I played my first Test at the Gabba. I think I’d like to finish my career in Australia if I have the choice. It’s just whether I get that choice or not – not many people do.”

However, Johnson revealed that he may prolong his retirement in order to try and match mentor Dennis Lillee’s haul of 345 Test wickets.

Johnson took four wickets in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane and is now level with Brett Lee on 310 Test wickets.

“Dennis’ is a pretty remarkable career. That’s pretty awesome … I’ll have a crack (at it) but if I get there or not, who knows,” he said. “I’m even with Brett Lee now. You never know, I could go a few Tests without wickets and that’d be the end of it.

“That wouldn’t be a bad thing either. Brett was an idol for me. I remember saying when I first got into really serious cricket that I wanted to bowl as fast as Brett Lee, so to be level with him now is pretty awesome. I never thought I’d reach that target, especially a few years ago I wouldn’t have even thought about getting close to 300 wickets.”