David Warner's manager gives savage reply to Mitchell Johnson's 'struggling Test opener' remark

Early this week, former Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson raised questions on why David Warner is getting a hero's farewell on two counts. According to the former, the first reason was Warner's lack of impact with the bat in the longest format of the game. The second reason was the left-hander's involvement in the infamous Sandpaper Gate. At that point, Warner was the vice-captain of the team across formats.

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"As we prepare for David Warner's farewell series, can somebody please tell me why? Why does a struggling Test opener get to nominate his own retirement date? And why does a player at the centre of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrant a hero's send-off?" Johnson wrote in The West Australian.

David Warner's replacements don't have a good record: James Erskine

In reply, the opening batter's manager has said that Warner's replacements such as Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris have had their fair share of chances. As per Erskine, the trio didn't do well as per the requirement.

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"Let me tell you, anyone can get a headline. The fact is [Warner's selection] is just logical. The three [replacement] candidates will be [Matthew] Renshaw, [Cameron] Bancroft - who has played pretty well in the Sheffield Shield - and [Marcus] Harris. Now they've all had spells opening the batting for Australia."

"David is in good form. Thank God Mitchell Johnson isn't a Test selector," Erskine said.

Warner has decided to retire from the longest format of the game right after the upcoming home series against Pakistan. The last Test will be played in Sydney, Warner's home ground.

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Australia's First Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, and David Warner.