Johnston plans retirement

Many of Ireland8217;s players, including Johnston, now face the prospect of returning home to regular jobs including postman and fitness instructor.

8220;It might be my last game,8221; Johnston said. 8220;I8217;ll sit down with my family and see where we are going. It8217;s pretty hard to go on after a cricket World Cup and the seven weeks we8217;ve just had like this.8221;

A tall fast bowler, Johnston began his career with Australian state side New South Wales and played with the likes of Test stars Mark Taylor, Michael Slater and Brett Lee.

His highest one-day international score is 45 not out and he has a total 10 wickets.

With Ireland in the ICC8217;s one-day rankings means top nations may start planning visits to the country for a full scale one-day series. The prospect was tempting enough to stop Johnston confirming his retirement immediately.

8220;I don8217;t know if I8217;ll be going on,8221; Johnston said. 8220;I don8217;t know. But if I turn around, I8217;d love to be a part of what Phil Simmons next Ireland coach wants to achieve.8221;