Australian pace great Mitchell Johnson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 34-year-old has looked short of his fearsome best during the second Test against New Zealand at the WACA, claiming figures of 1-157.

At present Johnson has 311 Test wickets, behind only Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and his mentor Dennis Lillee (355) on Australia’s leading wicket-takers’ list.

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The writing was on the all for Johnson in the lead-up to this series, when he declared in an interview that he thought about retirement “most days”.

“I feel now is the best time to say goodbye,” Johnson said in a statement.

“I have been lucky enough to have had a wonderful career and enjoyed every moment of playing for my country. 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.

“I’ve given the decision a lot of thought. Beyond this match, I’m just not sure that I can continue competing consistently at the level required to wear the Baggy Green (Cap).

“My career has certainly had its up and downs but I can honestly say I have given it my all and am proud of everything I have achieved.”

Johnson’s career was rollercoaster, and he channelled the disappointment of a disastrous Ashes series in England into an incredible reversal.

In the Ashes series of 2013/14 Johnson was unstoppable, terrorising every English batsmen with spells of ferocious pace and bounce.

He finished the series with 37 wickets, and then journeyed to South Africa where his 22 wickets was the primary reason Australia won the three-Test series 2-1.

As well as his 311 Test wickets, Johnson finishes with 239 one-day international wickets from 153 matches and 38 wickets in T20 internationals