Adios, Mitchell Johnson: Here are the best spells of the Australian's glittering career

He was hailed as ‘once in a generation bowler’ by Australian pace spearhead Dennis Lillee, who discovered the talented bowler as a teen. And Mitchell Johnson was indeed one of the most talented fast bowlers of his generation, who shouldered the Australian team after the Glenn McGrath- Brett Lee generation.

A ferocious pacer to watch when on song, Johnson’s express speed, swinging action, and piercing glare were weapons he used to intimidate batsmen as well as entertain fans. Who can forget a mustached Mitch Johnson tearing down England during the 2013 Ashes? That was probably the highest point in his career, which has seen several Ashes wins, World Champions trophies and ICC Awards.

On Tuesday, the Aussie pacer called curtains on his 10-year old international career with the second Test against New Zealand at Perth being his last. While speculation about his retirement has been rife owing to his recent poor performances, he could not have picked a better venue to say goodbye as Waca had been his hunting ground, till this series.

“It’s been an incredible ride. But the ride has to come to an end at some point and to do so here at the Waca is very special,” he said in a statement.

As he comes out to bowl for one last time for Australia, have a look at some of Mitchell Johnson’s best performances.

8-61 vs South Africa at Perth in 2008

Statistically, this was Mitchell Johnson’s best bowling performance in Tests. Aesthetically too, this was his most beautiful as he tore into the South African batting order with an almost day-old ball. While South Africa famously went on to win this Test chasing 414, Johnson’s first-inning spell, which saw him snarl five wickets in the span of 20 balls, dismissing the likes of Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, will go down in the books as one of the finest with the ‘old-ball’.

Unsurprisingly, it came at Waca on a batting-friendly pitch.

7-40 vs England at Adelaide in 2013

It’s hard to pick one Johnson innings from the 2013 Ashes in Australia aka ‘Johnson’s summer’ on social media so we picked the best figures. Man of the Match Johnson scalped 8 wickets in Australia 214 victory in the second Test with seven in the first innings. The highlight of the spell were the the five wickets which came in mere in 18 deliveries after the lunch break which saw Ben Stokes, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad and Greame Swann succumbed to his sheer pace.

4-11 vs India at Kuala Lampur in 2006

This one is special for Indian fans. It was in 2006 and India played Australia in Kuala Lumpur and a young Mitchell Johnson took the wickets of openers Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan and Yuvraj Singh in only four overs. The match ended with no result but we got a glimpse into the bowler that Johnson would become.

7-68 vs South Africa at Centurion in 2014

While most of Johnson’s monumental spells came on home soil, especially Perth, this was among his finest overseas performance. Fresh from starring in the Ashes victory, Johnson was instrumental in Australia winning a Test series in South Africa. He claimed 12 wickets in the first Test that Australia won by 281 runs and his first-inning spell of 7 for 68 studded with the wickets of Smith, de Villers, Faf du Plessis, Duminy, Robin Petersen was a delight to watch, earning him the Man of the Match award.

6/31 vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele in 2011

This was Johnson career-best ODI spell that saw his pace make a mark in the sub-continent conditions. Australia went on to win this game by 7 wickets after Johnson six-fer dismissed Sri Lanka for 191. He captured the major wickets of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene, and Angelo Mathews. Johnson was also, like on numerous other occasions in his career, the Man of the Match for Australia.

Honourable mentions - because honestly, there are just far too many!

5/26 vs India at Vadodara in 2007 was Johnson’s maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs which bundled India out for 148 and saw 9-wicket victory.

4/25 & 4/112 v South Africa in Johannesburg in 2009 where Man of the Match Johnson lead Australia to a 162 run victor in the first Test.

6-73 vs New Zealand in Hamilton in 2010 was another crucial overseas performance which helped Australia win by 176 runs

Any particular spell that we missed out? Let us know in the comments section or tweet to us at @FirstpostSports