“David Warner Doesn’t Warrant Hero’s Send-Off”: Mitchell Johnson

As Australia put together for the Test sequence in opposition to Pakistan, one of many biggest Aussie batters of all time, David Warner, will don the white shirt for the nationwide group one final time. While Warner’s kind within the longest format hasn’t been the very best, he was picked for the Test task in opposition to Pakistan, a undeniable fact that hasn’t gone down effectively with former Australia star Mitchell Johnson. In his column, Johnson aimed an unflinching assault at Warner, criticising the truth that the southpaw was given a possibility to play his farewell sequence regardless of his poor kind and involvement within the ‘sandpaper gate’ scandal.

“As we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series, can somebody please tell me why?” Johnson wrote in his column for The West Australian. “Why a struggling Test opener gets to nominate his own retirement date.

“And why a participant on the centre of one of many largest scandals in Australian cricket historical past warrants a hero’s send-off?” he added.

Warner wasn’t the only one to have been reprimanded in the sandpaper gate saga, the likes of Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were also penalised by Cricket Australia.

Following the incident Smith and Warner were barred from taking up leadership roles even after their suspension concluded. But, seeing Warner being a big part of the scandal, despite being one of the seniors in the team, Johnson wasn’t amused.

“Although Warner wasn’t alone in Sandpapergate, he was on the time a senior member of the group and somebody who preferred to make use of his perceived energy as a ‘chief’,” Johnson wrote.

“Now the best way he’s going out is underpinned by extra of the identical vanity and disrespect to our nation. What will followers carry for Warner? Bunnings would promote out of sandpaper,” he wrote.

“Ultimately, a global cricket profession isn’t just about your statistical achievements with bat or ball. How you held your self and the way you performed the sport will reside lengthy after you depart,” said the former Aussie quick.

Johnson didn’t just attack Warner but also Australia coach Andrew McDonald, suggesting Warner’s selection doesn’t suggest he picked the squad on the basis of merit.

“Australia coach Andrew McDonald mentioned not too long ago they are going to be selecting this summer time’s Test squad based mostly on present performances.

“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.”