There are few more feared sights in world cricket than a handlebar moustached left arm quick tearing in and aiming for your head. Not that Mitchell Johnson would always succeed, but part of his charm was that you never quite knew whether he would have a stinker or a stunner.

Johnson announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, grabbing two Kiwi wickets before the test in Perth ended in a draw. He ended on 313 wickets from 73 tests, enough to make him the fourth most successful bowler in Aussie test history.

He will perhaps best be remembered for his Ashes performances against old foes England, his 2013-14 series the stuff of legend. Johnson blew the Poms away with 37 wickets over the five tests at a staggering average of just under 14, helping the Aussies to a 5-0 sweep.

First up let’s take a look at him schooling our own Ryan McLaren twice, breaking his arm and hitting him square on the pip.

Then this compilation of sweet chin music dished out against England

Finally a few stats to help illustrate how fearsome he has been these past few years.

In case you thought this might mean some peace and quiet for opposition batsmen we’ll leave you with this, Mitchell Starc breaking the record for fastest ball ever delivered in a test match in the same game that Johnson announced his retirement.

[source:cricinfo]