The 32-year-old, who took 37 wickets in Australia’s emphatic 5-0 Ashes triumph, beat captain Michael Clarke, who was widely tipped to win what would have been a fifth medal, by 12 votes.
“It has been an amazing journey,” a surprised and emotional Johnson said. “I knew if I got the opportunity to play Test cricket again I’d make the most of it. I’m very fortunate to get that chance again.”
The left-arm fast man was dropped for the Ashes in England last summer – which Australia lost 3-0 – but he made a spectacular comeback in the home series and was a pivotal figure in Australia regaining the urn.
“I think every single one of the players in the XI that took the field throughout the Ashes deserves a lot of credit, but in saying that Mitchell Johnson certainly deserves the accolades he’s receiving and well and truly deserves the Allan Border Medal,” Clarke said.
Johnson received 168 votes from umpires, journalists and his fellow players. Clarke received 156.
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