Wickets, tears for Johnson in swansong

Australia and New Zealand have battled to a predictable draw in the second Test in Perth, where Mitchell Johnson has bowed out with two wickets and tears.

Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson's swansong finished in a predictable draw between Australia and NZ in Perth. (AAP)

Menacing paceman Mitchell Johnson was reduced to tears as he was chaired off the WACA after retiring from international cricket.

Johnson wound the clock back on Tuesday, when his swansong finished in a predictable draw between Australia and New Zealand.

The left-armer dismissed both NZ openers with short balls to finish with 313 Test scalps.

He was then chaired off the field by teammates Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

"There was a little tear in the eye when they picked me up," Johnson said.

"That was probably a bit more emotional. I didn't really want them to do it."

Steve Smith declared midway through the second session on day five of the second Test, setting NZ a target of 321 with 48 overs remaining.

The tourists were 2-104 when stumps were pulled at 5.40pm local time, having been asked to score at 6.69 runs an over to level the three-Test series.

It was never going to happen, especially after a heavy downpour resulted in an extended tea break.

But Johnson had one last batch of bouncers to deliver in his 73rd and final Test.

Tom Latham's pull shot gave Hazlewood a regulation catch on the rope, while Martin Guptill fended his delivery to Joe Burns at short leg.

"I was really enjoying it - just soaking it all up," Johnson said.

"I still know I've made the right decision.

"I'm really happy with my decision and I just lost that hunger."

The 34-year-old announced his retirement on Tuesday morning, prompting no shortage of tributes on and off the field.

Johnson led the side out at every instance, while Australia formed a guard of honour when they scampered off the field due to rain.

It was unclear if the paceman would add to his 1.2 overs in the second innings at that point.

Johnson was also given a guard of honour by NZ and a standing ovation by the crowd of 3142 when he started his last Test knock.

"It did make me feel a little bit uncomfortable," he said.

"New Zealand made me feel very special ... I didn't expect it.

"I didn't want to make it about myself."

He scored 29 as Smith lived up to his promise of not giving NZ a sniff of victory on the docile deck.

Having been attacked by NZ's tailenders on day four, Johnson exacted a small amount of revenge by stroking five boundaries off Tim Southee.

Southee eventually ended Johnson's final dig, a mistimed pull shot giving keeper BJ Watling a regulation catch.

NZ batsman Ross Taylor, named man of the match for his record-breaking 290, paid tribute to Johnson.

"There's probably a few batsmen in our rooms and around the world that will sleep a bit easier now he isn't playing," Taylor told the ABC.

Skippers Smith and Brendon McCullum were also full of praise, with the latter noting Johnson made "an incredible difference to the game".

"We've lost one of the great players of Australian cricket," Smith said.


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Source: AAP



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