Mitchell Johnson didn't want to play cricket after homework-gate scandal

Mitchell Johnson talks about the homework-gate scandal

In a candid interview with cricket.com.au, Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson spoke about the homework-gate that had four Australian players including Johnson himself and vice-captain Shane Watson dropped for the third match in their 2013 Test series against India.

“I could feel it straight away,” he told Cricket Australia’s official website. “I guess I go back to when it first started in India, with the homework issue as it became known. That was probably one of the lowest points of my career. I didn’t actually want to play cricket at that time. It was quite depressing.”

“It didn’t feel like I was wanted and I had the feeling that I was being moved on,” he continued. “Deep down I felt like I still wanted to play for Australia, but I didn’t want to play in that environment. I’m not sure if I would have walked away from it, but I was definitely talking to my wife and to a few of the senior guys about it as well.”

“It was pretty ordinary, it wasn’t enjoyable,” he added.

Johnson, however, acknowledged that the changes the side has seen since the arrival of Darren Lehmann as their head coach and how it has worked wonders in lifting in the team morale.

“That’s why you play the game and that’s what Darren (Lehmann) has brought back to it. The one-dayers in England when I came back in was when I first noticed it, but I really noticed it during the (Australian) summer. The training sessions that we had, there was meaning behind them. And then enjoyment on the field – everyone enjoys each other’s company.”

He further added, “Let’s face it, playing cricket for your country is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it only happens for a short period so you have to enjoy it. When I first came in (to the Australian squad) I remember how exciting it was playing alongside guys I had looked up to, who are legends of the game – Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Matty Hayden, Justin Langer, guys like that. It was so awesome. And Darren has brought that back in, that excitement in the game.”

“I never had any doubt that I could perform like that (the 2013-14 summer) but I would never have gone so far as to say I could get 37 wickets in an Ashes series - that’s a huge bonus. The bowling unit that we had in that series was a huge part of me being able to get those wickets, we just worked so well together. It was probably the best that I’ve felt in a bowling unit since I began playing for Australia,” he concluded.