Johnson finished his career with 313 Test wickets
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Johnson added the finishing touches to his illustrious international career by taking two wickets as the second Test against New Zealand ended as a draw.
Starting out the day on 258/2, Australia lost captain Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Adam Voges in fairly quick succession before wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and Johnson were involved in a 61-run partnership before Johnson was caught behind off the bowling of Tim Southee for 29 in his final innings.
Nevill fell soon after for 35, after which Mitchell Starc came in and blasted a quickfire 28 before Smith declared with his side on 385/7, which set New Zealand a target of 321 runs to win.
Southee was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Trent Boult snapped up two and Doug Bracewell chipped in with one.
Chasing 321 to win, New Zealand got off to a poor start as Tom Latham and Martin Guptill were both dismissed by Johnson for 15 and 17 respectively.
However, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson stabilised the innings with an unbeaten 60-run partnership before the match ended as a draw.
Taylor finished on 36 off 35 balls, which included five boundaries, while Williamson remained undefeated on 32 off 58 deliveries, which included three boundaries.
Johnson was the only bowler to take any wickets.
Smith admitted that he was hoping for a better performance from his side, but also took the opportunity to laud Johnson on his career, and said: “He has been a great ambassador of the game. Sad to see him leave. We wish him well. Peter Siddle is around. The first Test with the pink ball [is coming up] and we are looking forward to it. Taylor was outstanding and we can’t get Kane Williamson out. We were hoping to get the cracks in, but did not happen quite enough. It is great to have the crows coming in. Hopefully, it will be another good clash.”
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was pleased with the draw, and said: “It was a really good game of cricket. Both teams showed a lot of resolve. Overall the class of the top-order batsmen of both teams showed. We are really happy to have put up a sizeable total. Voges and Smith played an outstanding innings that put an end to the contest. Adelaide is going to be a new challenge. We showed some fight here; happy to finish from where we started.”
Taylor was named Man of the Match, and said: “The way I batted in Brisbane I though it was not possible. I went back to the basics and played straight. I am back playing after injury and enjoying myself. The way Warner and Khawaja batted they took the game away from us. We needed fighting spirit and Kane batted well. Oh definitely, innings of my life. Right up there.”