The clash between David Warner and Mitchell Johnson has captured the cricketing world’s attention, with Johnson openly criticizing the selection committee’s decision to include Warner in the Test squad for the Pakistan series. In what was slated to be Warner’s final Test assignment, Johnson’s comments questioned the deserving nature of the southpaw’s ‘hero’s sendoff,’ leaving the cricketing fraternity in uproar. After days of anticipation, Warner has finally broken his silence on his former teammate’s controversial remarks.

Quoted by Fox Sports, Warner nonchalantly remarked,

“It would not be a summer of cricket without a headline.”

He acknowledged everyone’s right to an opinion while expressing optimism about the upcoming Test in the west.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Warner shared,

“I resonate with where I grew up. It was a great upbringing with my parents, teaching me to work hard every day.”

Despite Johnson’s harsh comments, Warner maintained a mature stance, recognizing the challenges that come with global attention on the cricketing stage.

Warner emphasized the dual nature of being in the spotlight, acknowledging media scrutiny and criticism. However, he highlighted the positive aspects of strong support for cricket, Australian cricket, and the sport in general.

Warner saw backing from his captain, Pat Cummins, who had faced similar targeting by Johnson the previous year. Cummins spoke about the team’s tight-knit bond, stating,

“We protect each other a lot. Fiercely protective of each other, we’ve been through a lot over the years.”

While Johnson’s goal of making such remarks is not yet unknown, Cummins is concentrating on acknowledging Australian cricket’s accomplishments in the middle of the current crisis.

David Warner and Mitchell Johnson, former teammates from Australia, are currently in the midst of a heated controversy. Johnson, in his column, stated that Warner’s selection for the Test series against Pakistan was not based on his performance but because he planned to retire after the series. Johnson also criticized chief selector George Bailey for being too close to the players, affecting the selection process. Despite the anticipation of a confrontation during the first Test in Pakistan, it now seems unlikely.

Earlier, Johnson announced his participation in the Triple M commentary team for the Test series. However, the official list of commentators released on Tuesday did not include his name. Notable figures like Merv Hughes, Wasim Akram, and Mark Taylor were listed instead.

Two days after publicly criticizing his former teammate David Warner, Mitchell Johnson explained the reason behind his outburst. Johnson, who targeted Warner and brought up the ball-tampering controversy, argued that Warner doesn’t deserve a “hero’s sendoff” in his last series against Pakistan.

In addition to questioning Warner’s place in the team, the 42-year-old also took aim at Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, for persisting with Warner despite his recent poor performances. Johnson revealed that Warner had sent him a “quite personal” text earlier in the year after he wrote a column defending Candice, Warner’s wife, and her husband’s place in the team. While Johnson didn’t go into details, he mentioned that this, along with the ball-tampering scandal, contributed to his critical column in the West Australian.

“I got a message from Dave, which was quite personal. I tried to ring to try and talk to him about it, which I’ve always been open to. I know I’ve been open to the guys when I finished playing. I said if I’m in the media and writing things or saying things that you don’t like, just come and speak to me,” the former Australia pacer said on The Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show.

“It was never a personal thing then until this point. This is probably what drove me to write the article as well, part of it. It was definitely a factor. Some of the stuff that was said in that, I won’t say it. I think that’s up to Dave to say it if he wants to talk about it. There was some stuff in there that was extremely disappointing, what he said, and pretty bad to be honest,” he added.

Australia selector George Bailey defended David Warner against criticism from former teammate Mitchell Johnson. Bailey suggested that Johnson may not be in the right mental space to comment on Warner and advised him to refrain from doing so until he is in a similar position. However, Bailey has faced backlash from Johnson for questioning his mental health while criticizing Warner.

“To ask if I’m OK because I’ve had mental health issues is pretty much downplaying my article and putting it on mental health, which is quite disgusting I think. I’m fine. I’m not angry. I’m not jealous. I’m just writing a piece that for me, I felt like I needed to write,” he said on The Mitchell Johnson Cricket Podcast.

Bailey Dismissed as “Childish” and “Condescending” by 42-Year-Old Critics

“It’s basically having a dig at someone’s mental health and saying that I must have something going on – a mental health issue has made me say what I’ve said. It sort of tries to downplay the questions that I’ve asked in that article… It seems very childish from George and condescending,” he added.

To give you some background, Johnson criticized Warner, saying he shouldn’t get a heroic farewell in his last series, and he brought up the past ball-tampering controversy. The 73-Test veteran expressed disapproval of Bailey’s decision to pick Warner despite his struggles in Test cricket.

“When then-captain Tim Paine’s career was ending over the sexting controversy, chairman of selectors George Bailey said he didn’t want to be part of deciding Paine’s fate because the pair were close friends. The handling of Warner in recent years, who played with Bailey in all three forms, raises the question of whether Bailey was simply too quickly out of playing and into the job and too close to some of the players,” said Johnson in his column for The West Australian.

The unveiling of Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan has stirred controversy, primarily centered around the inclusion of David Warner. Former Australian cricket star Mitchell Johnson expressed disapproval of Warner’s participation, condemning the left-handed opener and reigniting discussions about the infamous ball-tampering scandal. Johnson, critical of Warner, asserted that the southpaw doesn’t merit a “hero’s sendoff,” particularly considering the Pakistan series potentially marking his farewell.

Adding fuel to the fire, Johnson directed his criticism towards Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, accusing him of choosing Warner despite the latter’s lackluster Test performance. Reflecting on Bailey’s previous stance during Tim Paine’s departure over the sexting controversy, Johnson raised questions about Bailey’s proximity to players, suggesting it might impact selection decisions.

In response to Johnson’s comments, Bailey expressed concern for the former cricketer’s well-being and defended his approach as a selector. Bailey emphasized the importance of being aware of players’ situations and team plans, challenging the notion that distance and unawareness could be more beneficial.

Despite Warner’s impressive Test record—participating in 109 matches, amassing 8487 runs at an average of 44.33, with 25 centuries and 36 half-centuries—his recent Test average since 2020 has declined to 31.79. Bailey, however, maintains Warner’s status as one of Australia’s premier Test players.

Bailey defended Warner’s selection for the first Test against Pakistan, emphasizing the critical nature of each game in the World Test Championship. He acknowledged the team’s focus on choosing the best eleven players and highlighted Warner’s role in achieving success.

Admitting the ongoing search for Warner’s successor, Bailey acknowledged the challenge of replacing a player of Warner’s caliber. He underscored the unique ability Warner possesses to put the opposition under pressure, expressing the need to carefully consider the right fit post-Warner.

In drawing parallels to the challenges faced after Shane Warne’s retirement, Bailey cautioned against attempting to replicate a player’s role too quickly. Recognizing Warner’s extended and dominant role as an opener, Bailey emphasized the importance of ensuring the right fit for the team post-Warner.

As Australia gears up for the Test series against Pakistan, a significant chapter is set to close as David Warner, one of the nation’s cricketing legends, takes the field in the whites for the last time. Warner, despite his recent struggles in the longest format, has secured a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series—an decision that hasn’t escaped the critical eye of former Australian cricket star Mitchell Johnson. In a candid column for The West Australian, Johnson expressed his dissatisfaction with Warner’s inclusion, questioning the rationale behind allowing the struggling opener to dictate his own retirement timeline.

In his column, Johnson didn’t mince words:

“As we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series, can somebody please tell me why? Why does a Test opener battling poor form get to choose his own exit date? And why does a player embroiled in one of the most significant scandals in Australian cricket history deserve a hero’s farewell?”

The ‘sandpaper gate’ scandal, which implicated not only Warner but also Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, resulted in penalties from Cricket Australia. Despite the collective punishment, Smith and Warner were additionally barred from leadership roles post-suspension. Johnson, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with Warner’s prominent role in the scandal, particularly considering his seniority within the team.

“While Warner wasn’t the sole figure in the Sandpapergate saga, he held a senior position in the team at the time, often wielding his perceived power as a ‘leader,'” Johnson remarked.

The former Aussie quick didn’t hold back on his criticism of Warner’s exit, attributing it to what he perceived as continued arrogance and disrespect towards the country. Johnson even quipped about the potential reception Warner might receive from fans, humorously suggesting,

“What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper.”

Beyond his critique of Warner, Johnson took a swipe at Australia coach Andrew McDonald, insinuating that Warner’s selection didn’t align with the stated criteria of picking the squad based on current performances.

“Australia coach Andrew McDonald recently stated that this summer’s Test squad would be selected based on current performances. It would be interesting to see how long this strategy has been in place, as it doesn’t appear to have been applied to Warner for quite a while,” Johnson pointedly remarked.

In conclusion, Johnson emphasized that an international cricket career extends beyond statistical achievements, highlighting the enduring legacy of how a player conducted themselves and approached the game—a sentiment he believes Warner’s exit fails to reflect.