ASHES man-of-the-series Mitchell Johnson could give up international Twenty20 cricket to prolong his Australia career.

Johnson has sensationally revived his international future this winter – with 37 Ashes wickets and the Allan Border Medal – and the 32-year-old wants to ensure he can continue his hot streak even longer.
Johnson has ruled out giving up one-day international cricket, with a home World Cup 12 months away, but knows something will likely have to give as he looks to push his career into his mid-thirties.
“I don’t have a time frame on it (retirement),” he said.
“As long as my body can hold up and I can keep performing then who knows – a few more years maybe.
“The scheduling is quite full-on, so we have to be smart about what we do as well, if I’m going to play all forms or not.
Asked if he would consider giving up limited overs cricket, he added: “Not one-dayers. But T20s could be an option.
“But in saying that, we’ve got a lighter schedule this year. It probably allows us to play all three forms if you’re performing.”
Johnson thinks the way he was used in short bursts by skipper Michael Clarke during the Ashes can keep him going.
It was a tactic that not only ensured Johnson bowled at a snarling pace, but which provoked the best out of a player whose career has been overshadowed by inconsistency.
“I just want to play as many games as I can for Australia and do it well,” he said.
“Consistency is the key. If I can consistently bowl at a good pace and be the strike bowler – Michael Clarke used me very well throughout the series, and Darren Lehmann was a part of that as well.
“I could come in and be aggressive, be intimidating, and that seems to work for me really well.
“It seems like we’ve found the way to best use me in all forms of the game, and I’m really enjoying that at the moment.”
Johnson is the toast of Australia at the moment after he won the Allan Border Medal on Monday night, the highest individual honour Down Under.
It continued a stellar winter for the left-armer, who only 18 months ago fell out of love with the game.
“I’m still in a little bit of shock that it’s actually happened,” said Johnson, who has been named vice-captain of a weakened Australia team for the fourth ODI against England in adopted home city Perth on Friday.
“It’s been a crazy 18 months. It’s been a big build-up to this point at the moment in my career.
“It’s really enjoyable. We’re playing good cricket as a team. When you receive a personal accolade like an AB medal, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Johnson was overlooked for England’s 3-0 Ashes success in the summer as he battled back from a foot injury that had left him considering whether his Australia career might be over.
“I went through a lot of different emotions, a lot of different thoughts in my mind,” he said.
“At one point there when I was injured, I didn’t think I wanted to play cricket again.
“The first two months in my (moon) boot I wasn’t interested in cricket, which was good just to get away from thinking about cricket 24/7.
“Then I built my way up, got myself fit and strong, worked on the bowling things I wanted to work on. A lot of people helped me in the background.”
With England banished, Australia’s desire to return to the top of the Test rankings will be given the sternest of tests away to South Africa next month.
The Proteas have proven themselves to be the best Test team in the world over the past two years, and Johnson knows Australia will have to be at the top of their game.
“We’re going to have to. They have got a star-studded batting line-up,” he said.
“It’s a little bit weakened by Jacques Kallis not being there (following his retirement), but I think they’ve got three guys in the top ten (rankings) batting-wise.
“They’re an unbelievable team, and they’re the number one team for a reason.”