Retiring Johnson takes two wickets as second Test ends in draw

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Mitchell Johnson brought his international career to a close by taking two wickets as the second Test between Australia and New Zealand ended in a draw following an emotional final day at the WACA.

Seamer Johnson had announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket earlier on Tuesday, bringing his career to an end after 73 Test matches, 153 one-day internationals and 30 Twenty20s.

And he was able to mark the occasion with a pair of wickets on a fifth day slightly hindered by rain as New Zealand did enough to ensure a draw after a match dominated by high scores from both sets of batsmen.

After ending day four on 2-258, 193 runs ahead thanks to centuries from Steve Smith and Adam Voges, Australia pressed on and set the tourists 321 to win.

Johnson (2-20) claimed the wickets of Tom Latham (15) and Martin Guptill (17) to take his Test tally to 313 wickets. 

But Australia made no further inroads in their bid to seal the three-match series as bad light brought play to a close with New Zealand 2-104. Johnson was then placed back in the spotlight as he was carried off the field - stump in hand - to a standing ovation.

Smith (138) fell to Trent Boult (2-77) shortly after Australia's lead had been pushed beyond 200, with Mitchell Marsh (1) and Voges (119) soon following him back to the pavilion. 

However, Australia's tail wagged, Johnson adding 29 in his final innings with the bat in his partnership of 61 with Peter Nevill (35), while Mitchell Starc's unbeaten 28 also proved useful.

Captain Smith declared on 7-385, but Australia lost time in their push for an unassailable 2-0 lead, rain stopping play for over an hour in Perth.

Yet the hosts at least had reason to celebrate not long after the resumption when Latham hooked a Johnson short ball to Josh Hazlewood at long leg.

Guptill followed by popping a Johnson bouncer to Joe Burns at short leg, but any hope of a rapid New Zealand collapse was put to bed by Kane Williamson (32 not out) and Ross Taylor (36 no).

The pair had shared a mammoth third-wicket stand of 265 in the first innings and looked comfortable at the crease once again as the contest came to an anti-climax.

Quickly fading light was enough to force the umpires to call it a day, allowing Johnson to take the richly deserved appreciation of everyone inside the WACA at the culmination of a magnificent career.

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