"David Warner A Disrespect To Our Country" - Mitchell Johnson

Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson criticized veteran opener David Warner ahead of his farewell Test series against the Pakistan team. Mitchell Johnson questioned why a player involved in the Sandpapergate scandal is receiving a hero’s send-off from Australia.

David Warner has expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket after the third Test match against Pakistan in January 2024. The left-handed batter has been included in Australia’s 14-player squad for the first Test against Pakistan, starting on December 14 in Perth.

Can Somebody Please Tell Me? – Mitchell Johnson

In his column for ‘The West Australian’, Mitchell Johnson questioned the reason behind David Warner’s farewell series, criticizing the notion that the struggling Test opener was allowed to choose his retirement date.

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

“And why a player at the center of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero’s send-off?”

David Warner and Mitchell Johnson formed a formidable partnership, representing Australia for over five years. They shared the field during notable victories, such as the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash and the 2015 ODI World Cup triumph.

David Warner Was A Senior Member Of The Team – Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson highlighted David Warner’s senior role in the team during the Sandpapergate incident, which led to a 12-month ban. Johnson characterized Warner’s farewell as displaying ‘arrogance and disrespect to our country.’

“Although Warner wasn’t alone in Sandpapergate, he was at the time a senior member of the team and someone who liked to use his perceived power as a “leader”,” Johnson further added.

“Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country. What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper,” he continued.

Australia squad for first test against Pakistan: Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “It All Sounded A Bit Childish” – Mitchell Johnson Says Ollie Robinson’s Comments On Ricky Ponting Made Him Laugh