MCC has today announced that Mitchell Johnson has been elected as an Honorary Life Member of the Club.

The left-arm seamer, who lies fifth on Australia’s list of all-time Test wicket-takers, accepted his Honorary Life Membership on day five of England’s Specsavers Test Match against Australia at Lord’s.

The Club has bestowed this honour in recognition of his outstanding achievements in cricket.Johnson made his Test bow in 2007 and in his 73 Test matches for Australia, he claimed 313 wickets at an average of 28.40.

He became one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world and his prowess for terrifying batsmen was evident during the 2013-14 season, when he took 59 wickets in eight Tests against England and South Africa.He was particularly devastating during the Ashes Series of that year, in which Australia recorded only the fourth Ashes whitewash in history.

Johnson was as prolific in international white-ball cricket, taking 239 wickets in 153 One-Day Internationals, at an average of 25.26, and 38 wickets in his 30 T20 Internationals.His lower-order batting in Test matches was also proficient. He scored over 2,000 Test runs for his country, including an unbeaten 123 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2009.

After retiring from international cricket in 2015, Johnson featured in the Big Bash competition and the Indian Premier League, before calling time on his illustrious career in 2018. He has since moved into the commentary box, working on BBC’s Test Match Special programme during this summer’s Ashes Series.

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Johnson said of his Honorary Life Membership: “It’s an absolutely amazing feeling and I never thought I’d be sitting here at Lord’s as an Honorary Life Member.

"It’s nice to be recognised by MCC. I’m really honoured and really proud to be in this position right now.”