Mitchell Johnson was born on February 11, 1981, in Townsville, Australia. From a young age, he showed a natural aptitude for cricket and began pursuing the sport seriously early on.
Johnson made his first-class debut for Queensland in 2001 and quickly established himself as a talented left-arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman. He earned his first One Day International (ODI) cap in 2005 and his first Test cap in 2007, marking the beginning of what would be a stellar international career.
In 2009, Johnson was named ICC Cricketer of the Year, a testament to his exceptional skills and performance on the field. Despite facing some challenges in the early 2010s, he demonstrated his resilience and determination by taking an impressive 37 wickets during the 2013-2014 Ashes series.
His outstanding contributions to the sport did not go unnoticed, as he was once again named ICC Cricketer of the Year in recognition of his achievements. In 2014, he was also named Test Player of the Year and received the prestigious Allan Border Medal.
Throughout his career, Johnson was a key player in several significant victories for Australia. He played an instrumental role in winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and 2009, as well as the Cricket World Cup in 2007 and 2015.
On the field, Johnson was known for his formidable bowling skills, taking a total of 313 Test wickets at an average of 28.40. In addition to his bowling prowess, he was also a valuable asset with the bat, scoring over 2,000 runs in Tests.
Off the field, Johnson's personal life was just as fulfilling. He shared a special bond with his daughter, Rubika Ann, whom he had with former model and karate black belt Jessica Bratich Johnson.
In his final Test match, Johnson took three wickets, solidifying his legacy as one of Australia's greatest bowlers. With this performance, he surpassed Brett Lee to become Australia's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker.
Throughout his career, Johnson's dedication to the sport, exceptional talent, and unwavering determination set him apart as a cricketing legend. His contributions to Australian cricket will be remembered for generations to come.