Johnson made a low-key exit from international cricket on Tuesday as the second Test against NZ fizzled out to a dull draw.

The left-armer will finish as one of Australia’s most-revered pacemen, his 37 wickets in the 2013-14 Ashes burned into the memory of most cricket fans.

Johnson was renowned for his express pace, ferocious bounce, ability to inflict pain and capacity to intimidate.

So something was clearly amiss in Perth, where he lolloped to the crease and often struggled to crack 140km/h as New Zealand walloped him all over the park.

Johnson finished the first innings with figures of 1-157 in NZ’s total of 624.

The 34-year-old had flirted with retirement for much of the past year, and his lack of thirst for the battle in Perth convinced him it was time to pull the pin.

“The final decision was more just the hunger and those tough days – I didn’t want to be there,” Johnson said.

“I felt like I couldn’t compete at this level anymore.

“Just the mental side of things, I’d had enough and felt like I couldn’t be the best I could for this team, and the standard wasn’t good enough.”

Former Test great Dennis Lillee recently hatched a plan that had the potential to extend Johnson’s career by another few years.

But it didn’t quite sit right with Johnson.

“He said I had at least another three or four more years left in me – not bowling at 150km/h, but doing similar to what he did (later in his career),” Johnson said.

“Just bowling at that lower pace, but doing something a bit more with the ball.

“But in the back of my mind, I was thinking I only want to bowl fast.

“That’s how I’ve bowled my whole career.”

Mitchell Johnson leaves the Test field for the final time. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Johnson made an entertaining 29 in his last Test innings, and he returned to claim 2-20 with the ball on the final day.

“I’m really happy and proud I was able to go out there and finish off really well,” Johnson said.

“And having that weight lifted off your shoulders, I was able to go out there and have fun and cherish the moment.”

Johnson is likely to be pursued by Big Bash League and Indian Premier League sides.

It’s expected Johnson will take a break before deciding whether he’ll entertain such approaches, but wife Jessica has confirmed “he might play some T20”.

Johnson finishes with 313 Test wickets and two ICC Cricketer of the Year awards, having collected the gong in 2009 and 2014.

Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Lillee (355) are the only men above him on the list of Australia’s greatest wicket-takers.

– AAP