Former Australia cricketers David Warner and Mitchell Johnson are currently caught up in a bitter controversy. In his column, Johnson claimed that Warner’s selection for the Test series against Pakistan was not based on his form, but rather because he planned to retire after the series. Furthermore, Johnson criticized chief selector George Bailey for being too close to the players, which he believed was affecting the selection process. As a result of this controversy, the two former teammates were expected to face each other during the first Test in Pakistan, but it seems that will no longer be the case.
Initially, Johnson had announced that he would be part of the Triple M commentary team for the Test series. However, the company released a confirmed list of commentators, which did not include Johnson’s name. Instead, it featured renowned cricketers such as Merv Hughes, Wasim Akram, and Mark Taylor.
Two days after his scathing attack on Warner, Johnson revealed the reason behind his tirade. He stated that Warner did not deserve a “hero’s sendoff” for the Pakistan series, alluding to the fact that it would be his last. Johnson also criticized chief selector George Bailey for persisting with Warner despite his recent poor performances.
Johnson further disclosed that Warner had sent him a “quite personal” text message earlier this year, after Johnson wrote a column defending Warner’s wife, Candice, and her involvement in the team. Although Johnson did not provide specific details about the message, he admitted that it was one of the factors, along with the ball-tampering scandal, that prompted him to write the article.
The former Australia pacer expressed his disappointment with Warner’s comments in the message, stating that some of the content was extremely disappointing and even “pretty bad.” Johnson emphasized that he had always been open to communication with his former teammates and encouraged them to approach him if they had any issues with his media statements or articles.
The controversy between Warner and Johnson continues to heat up, with both players sharing their perspectives on the matter. It remains to be seen how this ongoing feud will impact their relationship and the Australian cricket community as a whole.
