It appears that things are not good between former paceman Mitchell Johnson and David Warner as the former has spoken some harsh words about Warner’s previous deeds as an Australian player and his grandeur sent off.
In midst of all, Australia’s selectors have chosen to stick with David Warner for the opening Test of the summer, despite his recent struggles with the bat and a scathing attack from former teammate Mitchell Johnson.
The 14-man squad, announced by Cricket Australia, includes Warner, who has been a topic of debate in the cricketing world.
Mitchell Johnson, in a column published in The West Australian, questioned the legitimacy of Warner’s swansong against Pakistan, suggesting that it was foreseen a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team.
Johnson expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s been five years, and Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal. Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country,”
The controversy intensified as Johnson humorously speculated on what fans might bring for Warner’s farewell Test in Sydney, suggesting that Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper.
“Warner certainly isn’t Australia’s Test captain and never deserved to be for that matter. In fact, he ends his career under a lifetime leadership ban.
“Yes, he has a decent overall record and some say is one of our greatest opening bats. But his past three years in Test cricket have been ordinary, with a batting average closer to what a tail-ender would be happy with.
“It’s the ball-tampering disgrace in South Africa that many will never forget. Although Warner wasn’t alone in Sandpapergate, he was at the time a senior member of the team and someone who liked to use his perceived power as a ‘leader’.
“Does this really warrant a swansong, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team?”
Johnson emphasized that an international cricket career extends beyond statistical achievements and highlighted the importance of one’s conduct on and off the field.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald’s recent statement about squad selection based on current performances raised eyebrows in the context of Warner’s inclusion.
Johnson questioned the consistency of this strategy, stating, “It would be nice to know how long this strategy has been in place because it doesn’t seem to have applied to Warner for quite a while.”
Warner’s struggles in the UK this year, where he managed only 285 runs at an average of 28.50 across the five Ashes Tests, have raised concerns. His performances were overshadowed by fellow opener Usman Khawaja, who amassed 496 runs at an impressive average of 49.60.
Warner’s Test average of 44.43 has taken a hit since the beginning of 2020, with an average of 31.79, marked by sporadic successes amid a series of failures.
