Ex-australia fast bowler Johnson retires at 36

Former Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Johnson, who will be 37 in November, retired from international cricket in November 2015, but continued to play across the globe in Twenty20 tournaments.

He famously terrorised the England batting lineup in the 2013-14 Ashes, taking 37 wickets as Australia reclaimed the urn with a thumping 5-0 whitewash and earning redemption for himself after his previous struggles against England.

But now Johnson has called it quits, saying his “body is starting to shut down” and revealing he struggled with back problems during the Indian Premier League.

A fearsome left-arm pace bowler, Johnson took 313 wickets in 73 Tests with Australia, at an average of 28.40, and a further 277 wickets across the white ball formats.

Johnson wrote on the Perth Now website: “It’s over. I’ve bowled my final ball. Taken my final wicket. Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket.

“I had hoped to continue playing in various Twenty20 competitions around the world until perhaps the middle of next year. But the fact is my body is starting to shut down.

“I think mentally I’m done as well. I’m ready to break clear of playing cricket and move on to the next period of my life.”