Mitchell Johnson on Tuesday drew curtains on his 10-year long illustrious international career. The Australian pacer had gone through many ups and downs during his stint at the world beaters' dressing room but he will always for the fearsome spells which fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep in 2013-14. Here are some unknown facts about the lanky speedster.
- Mitchell Guy Johnson was born on Nov. 2, 1981 in Townsville, Queensland. Almost six foot, three inches-tall (1.89m), Johnson bowled and batted left-handed.
- Spotted by Dennis Lillee as a raw 17-year-old, the pace bowling great declaring Johnson a "once in a lifetime prospect".
- Suffered a string of back stress fractures early in his career and drove a van for a living at one stage after losing his contract with Queensland.
- Made his one day international debut in 2005, going on to play 153 matches in the format culminating in Australia's triumph in the 2015 World Cup final, his final outing. Took 239 wickets at an average of 25.26.
- Made test debut against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in November 2007, the first of 73 matches in the Baggy Green cap which netted him 313 wickets at an average of 28.40. He took 12 five-wicket hauls.
- A more than useful tail end batsman, Johnson scored 2,065 runs at an average of 22.20 with one century, an unbeaten 123 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2009.
- Named International Cricket Council (ICC) Player of the Year, in 2009 and 2014. His former captain Ricky Ponting was the only other player to win it twice.
- Fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep of England and a 2-1 series win in South Africa between August 2013 and September 2014, taking 59 test wickets at an average of 15.23.
- Moved to Western Australia to play state cricket in 2008. Played seven tests at the WACA, taking 45 wickets with best figures of 8-61 against South Africa in 2008.
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