Johnson targets what could be retirement milestone

Mitchell Johnson could be just 55 wickets - and 12 months - away from retiring from Test cricket as he climbs the ladder of Australia's most successful bowlers.

Johnson claimed his 300th Test wicket in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston last week to become the fifth Australian to achieve the feat and join Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Dennis Lillee and Brett Lee in the exclusive club.

Watch: Johnson takes his 300th wicket in style

And he's hinted that should he be able to surpass the mark of 355 wickets taken by Lillee, his former mentor who once labelled a teenage Johnson a "once in a generation" player, he might consider retirement.

"Another personal achievement it would be nice to reach DK Lillee," Johnson said.

"That’d be pretty special.

"You never know, if I get that opportunity to reach him I could end it there as well.

"It would be a nice little finish as well.

"It’s probably something I don’t normally think about and it’s something that I’ll be able to cherish when I'm finished cricket and sitting back with my mates enjoying a beer."

A look at Johnson's milestones through the years

Based on his career average of 4.36 wickets per Test, Johnson should - fitness and selection permitting - surpass Lillee's mark on Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in July and August next year, when he'll be 34.

The newest member of Australia's 300 club reached the milestone with a hostile bouncer to England's No.5 Jonny Bairstow in Birmingham that took the glove and flew through to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

And he didn’t stay on 300 wickets for long, replicating the Bairstow delivery two balls later to take the gloves of allrounder Ben Stokes through to Nevill and shoot to 301.

"It was a very special occasion to get my 300th and the way I did it,” Johnson said.

"I guess that’s sort of a trademark for me now, to bowl that short ball and get it ripping off the gloves and getting the catch behind or somewhere around there.

"It was very special for me and to join an elite club it doesn’t get any better."

Johnson and Steyn: the milestone men

Now that his 300th scalp is out of the way, Johnson has lined up his next target – a former teammate and idol.

"For me it’s all about winning Test matches but you do have those personal achievements and goals that you have,” Johnson said.

"It’s something I’ve never been really about, but since the 300 has come up I’ve thought about it more.

"(The) next target for me is trying to chase down Brett Lee.

"That’d be really nice; a hero of mine.

"I once said I wanted to bowl as fast as Brett Lee when I first came on the scene and I was able to bowl with him. That was a great experience."

Johnson needs nine wickets to equal Lee’s total of 310 wickets, and will begin his pursuit on Thursday against England in the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.