Mitchell Johnson's Explosive Words
Cricket fans were left stunned when Mitchell Johnson launched a scathing attack on his former teammate, David Warner. In his Sunday column for The West Australian, Johnson questioned whether Warner deserves to have a farewell Test considering his recent poor performance. Johnson did not hold back in expressing his frustration and disappointment towards Warner.
Johnson's Explosive Column
Johnson wrote, "It's been five years and David 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. As we prepare for David Warner's farewell series, can somebody please tell me why? Why does a struggling Test opener get to choose his own retirement date? And why does a player at the center of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrant a hero's send-off?"
Johnson further criticized Warner's performance in Test cricket, stating that his batting average in the past three years has been closer to that of a tailender. He acknowledged Warner's past achievements but questioned whether they outweigh his recent struggles. Johnson also brought up the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, emphasizing that it is a stain that many will never forget.
David Warner's Manager Responds
In response to Johnson's remarks, David Warner's manager, Erskine, defended the player and claimed that there is no one capable of replacing him in the team. Erskine pointed out the relatively low batting averages of other contenders for Warner's position and highlighted Warner's impressive career statistics. He emphasized that Warner is fully committed to playing Test cricket for Australia and believes he is the best person for the job.
Erskine added, "If he goes and gets two ducks in the first two Tests, then they'll drop him, but he won't."
It remains to be seen how Warner's farewell Test will unfold and whether his performance will silence his critics.
