Mitchell Johnson can't shake thoughts of retirement but Australia's enforcer doesn't want to end his 72-Test career just yet.
Johnson fell out of love with the game in 2009, when he genuinely weighed up his future after a serious toe injury.
The left-armer battled back to full fitness and frightening pace, but again contemplated calling it quits following his side's failed Ashes campaign this year.
The 34-year-old decided against it, but the internal struggle is ongoing as he prepares to tackle New Zealand in the second Test.
The clash that starts on Friday could well be Johnson's last Test at the WACA, his adopted home.
"I think about it most days. It is probably getting to be that time," the left-armer said on Wednesday.
"Who knows? It could be after this game; I might just go 'I'm done'.
"But I am still enjoying my cricket at the moment.
"I'm not emotional or anything like that right now, because I'm not retiring.
"I'd like to get a few more wickets but I don't feel like I've dropped off too much; my pace is still up there and I feel confident in myself."
The express paceman remains the side's spearhead, the man most likely to cause a collapse or create doubts in a batsman's mind.
Johnson, now equal fourth on the nation's all-time list of Test wicket-takers with 310 scalps, has earned the right to go out on his own terms.
But he knows full well it's a luxury that few cricketers, if any, enjoy.
"You never know, I could go a few Tests without wickets and that'd be the end of it," he said.
"I started my career in Australia, played my first Test at the Gabba.
"I'd like to finish my career in Australia if I had the choice. It's whether I get that choice or not."
Australia have three-Test series against NZ and the West Indies this summer while, in 2016-17, they host South Africa and Pakistan.
There is also the matter of Dennis Lillee's mark of 355 Test wickets.
Johnson has previously spoken of equalling his mentor's milestone, but hinted in Perth it might be a bridge too far.
"I'm not sure. I'll have a crack," he said.
"But if I get there or not, who knows?"
Johnson added he was still wrapping his mind around the fact he'd taken as many Test wickets as childhood idol Brett Lee.
"I remember saying when I first got into really serious cricket that I wanted to bowl as fast as Brett Lee," he said.
"So now that I'm level with him, it's pretty awesome. I never thought I'd reach that target.
"Especially a few years ago - I wouldn't have even thought (about) getting close."
Australia trained on Wednesday, with a major focus on fielding after a handful of catches went down at the Gabba.
Johnson admitted he was disappointed to see a few chances go begging off his bowling in Brisbane.
"We all drop them. I've dropped some simple ones ... but it (fielding) is something we pride ourselves on," he said.
"New Zealand really did show us how it was done."
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