Shocked allrounder Shane Watson was left with tears in his eyes when told of Mitchell Johnson's retirement plans, but former Test captain Mark Taylor wasn't as surprised.
Johnson brought an end to his decorated international career on Tuesday, saying it was the right time to walk away from the game.
The 34-year-old will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest bowlers, with his menacing pace and searing bounce striking fear into batsmen around the world.
Watson, who is aiming to return to the Australian one-day and T20 set-up this summer, was devastated when Johnson told him of his retirement plans.
"It brought some tears to my eyes because the thought of not playing with him again is sad," Watson said.
"I was a bit surprised. My thoughts had always been that I would continue playing with Mitch in one-dayers and Twenty20s for Australia.
"Mitch was one of my great friends and we have been playing cricket together since we were 17, so it is sad really to think I am not going to be able to play with my good mate again."
NZ players formed a guard of honour for Johnson when he walked out to bat early on Tuesday, with Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum shaking the paceman's hand.
Johnson struggled to crack the 145km/h mark regularly while bowling during the Test, and Taylor said the left-hander's decision to retire was a good call.
"He's not a Glenn McGrath or a Terry Alderman or someone who can run in and bowl a bit of line and length," Taylor told the Nine Network.
"He's a genuine fast bowler who needs intimidation, pace and bounce.
"When you lose that little edge, as he has over the last probably maybe six months, a year, you go down like that - really quickly.
"I'm saddened to see Mitchell Johnson go, but not surprised."
Test captain Steve Smith joined the chorus of current and former players in paying tribute to Johnson.
"He's had an amazing career. He's achieved so much and I told him that last night," Smith said on ABC radio.
"He's won an Ashes series, won World Cups, and he's fourth on the all-time leading wicket-taker list for Australia.
"He's had a phenomenal career and certainly changed the way Australian cricket's been played."
Smith said he could sense a weight had been lifted off Johnson's shoulders once he made the decision to retire.
Johnson's improved accuracy in recent years played a key role in his career revival, and Smith often felt the paceman's wrath at training.
"When he got the ball swinging like that at 150km/h, he was an absolute nightmare to face," Smith told Nine.
"I'm not going to miss facing him in the nets. He gave me a few bouncers in there that I will remember. He was just a great performer for Australia."
Former Australian paceman Craig McDermott said Johnson helped bring Test cricket back to life with his menacing Ashes display in 2013/14.
"He gets people through the gate," McDermott said.
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