Former Australian fast bowler attacks David Warner ahead of emotional final Test series

After David Warner was selected in the squad in the first Test match between Australia and Pakistan in Perth starting on December 14, the former speedster Mitchell Johnson launched an intense criticism of Warner.

Advertisment

Prior to playing the West Indies in Adelaide and Brisbane, Australia will play Pakistan in a three-Test series that will be hosted by Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Mitchell Johnson wrote an article for the West Australian as he said, “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 is upset with Warner's choice and has criticised his old teammate for not disclosing his involvement during the Sandpaper Gate scandal. He wrote, “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.”

Advertisment

Warner has long made it known that he intends to step down following the third Test match against Pakistan in January at the SCG, his home field.

Considering that Warner had averaged 26.74 during his final 36 Test innings, Johnson has questioned why the selectors were granting his public wish for a Test farewell. Even after considering and witnessing his record over the previous two years. Warner has performed poorly in the Ashes, amassing just 285 runs with an average of 28.50 over the course of five Test matches.

“How you played the game will live long after you depart” : Mitchell Johnson

Advertisment

Mitchell Johnson did not stop there as he added in his column that, “What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper.”

Johnson claims that an international cricket player's career is more recognised for their style of play than for their stats. The Australian pacer said, “Ultimately, an international cricket career is not just about your statistical achievements with bat or ball. How you held yourself and how you played the game will live long after you depart.”

[web_stories title="true" excerpt="false" author="false" date="false" archive_link="true" archive_link_label="" circle_size="150" sharp_corners="false" image_alignment="left" number_of_columns="1" number_of_stories="10" order="DESC" orderby="post_date" view="carousel" /]