Mitch Johnson and Wanneroo Districts Cricket Club
On Tuesday 17th November Mitch Johnson played his last Test Match for Australia. He took 2/20 in the 2nd innings against New Zealand at the WACA, including a trademark searing delivery into Martin Guptill’s gloves which lobbed to Joe Burns at silly mid-on.
Mitch Johnson International and Domestic statistics (obtained from http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6033.html):
Wanneroo Districts Cricket Club joins the global cricketing and sporting community in wishing Mitch all the best for the future, and in particular acknowledges his involvement and contribution with Wanneroo DCC.
Mitch joined Wanneroo in the 2010/11 season, when he and his now-wife Jessica moved to Perth. He chose to play for Wanneroo primarily because of his close ties to the Minear family (Michael & Sheryl, and their sons Dylan and David).
Mitch sat next to Dave Minear at school in Townsville in the 90s. Dave introduced Mitch to brother Dylan, who suggested Mitch should “give cricket a go”. The Johnson’s lived about 20km out of town, so Mitch would go to the Minear family’s home after cricket training, or get a ride home with Michael. When Mitch was first picked to represent Townsville in junior cricket, Sheryl drove him the 100kms to Ayr to play because Kev (his Dad) was working.
When Mitch & Jessica decided to move to Perth, Mitch rang Dylan and told him he was coming. There was never any doubt about where he would play his cricket. At that time, Wanneroo DCC was the only district club in Australia with two current Test players: Mitch and Mike Hussey.
Mitch hasn’t played too many games for Wanneroo because of his International and state commitments, but he loves to play for the club whenever he can and gets on famously with all the players. He last played in round three this season, taking a stunning 5/30 off 9.5 overs. Even more important than his figures though, was the time he spent with the players, who will count the experience as a highlight of their time as cricketers. Michael Minear said of Mitch: “You wouldn’t meet a nicer human being”.
Mitch Johnson statistics at Wanneroo Districts Cricket Club (obtained from http://mycricket.cricket.com.au/common/pages/asphost.aspx?loc=/cricket/reports/playercareerbowling.asp&playerid=457058&eid=537):
Article by Michael Minear and Allan Hall