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Boof wanted Johnson to play on in ODIs

Darren Lehmann reveals he and Steve Smith tried to convince Mitchell Johnson to extend his international career

Darren Lehmann tried to convince Mitchell Johnson to continue playing one-day cricket for Australia but the left-armer had little interest in the proposal.

Johnson ended a decorated 73-Test career at the WACA last week, having decided during the game he would retire.

Australia coach Lehmann has revealed he and skipper Steve Smith, both well aware of Australia's inexperienced pace stocks, wanted Johnson to extend his international career beyond the second Commonwealth Bank Test against New Zealand.

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However, the express paceman wouldn't contemplate the offer.

"His mind was made up as soon as he spoke to Steven and myself," Bupa Support team head coach Lehmann recently told radio station 5AA.

"He'd been thinking about it for a while, been talking about it in the media.

"We spoke to him about maybe playing the one-dayers, we think that was a really good option for us to have that experience there.

"But he's not into it. He's not into the training anymore.

"He's had enough and he just wants to sit at home and watch us play."

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Johnson's exit has resulted in a major shake-up of Australia's pace attack.

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While Johnson has called stumps on his international career, the Perth Scorchers are still hoping to pull off a massive coup on the eve of their KFC Big Bash League title defence, with the quick said to be interested in joining the franchise. 

He is contracted to Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab for the 2016 season, while wife Jessica said "he might play some T20" following his retirement announcement on Tuesday.

Mitchell Starc is the only quick guaranteed of a spot in the XI for the inaugural day-night Test that starts at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson are all in the mix to partner Starc, while Lehmann insists left-arm tweaker Steve O'Keefe is also being seriously considered.

"We've got some depth in young kids, but these four (Starc, Hazlewood, Siddle and Pattinson) are prime bowlers for us and we've got to keep them on the park," Lehmann said.

Siddle is expected to be recalled after being named 12th man for the first and second Tests against New Zealand.

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Hazlewood has been inconsistent this series but Lehmann felt his best bowling came on day five at the WACA.

"He got better and better in Perth, he certainly bowled well with the new ball in the second innings," Lehmann said.

"Better than he probably has all series, so he looks like he's running into a little bit of form there.

"He's a young kid ... he'd like more wickets, as we would."