Former Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson bid goodbye to the Big Bash League – an Australian T20 tournament which is played in the month of December – on Wednesday
With the recent announcement of Big Bash League following the pattern of the rich Indian Premier League, each team will be playing 14 matches heading towards the knockout stages. Johnson feels that at an age of 37, this won’t be the ideal thing to do as it will be a hectically scheduled tournament.
Also read: Sunil Chhetri to play for Bengaluru FC until 2021
“The intensity and length of the BBL are just too much for someone who will be 37 at the start of the summer.”, said Johnson.
It remains uncertain whether the fast bowler who featured for Kolkata Knight Riders, will return to play in the Indian Premier League next year. Meanwhile, the former Australia international has decided to participate in the inaugural United Arab Emirates Twenty20 league as it is half the length of the Big Bag League that is to be played at the end of the year.
“Mitch has put his name up for the Emirates tournament in Dubai, but that is half the length of the BBL,” he said.
Johnson represented Perth Scorchers in the BBL until last season has done wonders striking regularly with his pace and agility. He picked 20 wickets in 19 games at an economy rate of 6.15. The figures of 3/3 in the 2016-17 semifinal was his best spell. Overall he has played 112 T20 matches and clinched 123 wickets at an average of 25.78.
The two-time World Cup winner retired from International cricket in 2015. He played 153 ODIs, 73 ODIs and 30 T20Is for the Kangaroos.