Ricky Ponting Wants To 'Be The Mediator' To Resolve Differences Between David Warner And Mitchell Johnson

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has expressed his opinion on the ongoing feud between David Warner and Mitchell Johnson. Ponting said that the two need to resolve their issues through a face-to-face conversation rather than playing it out in the media.

Before the Ashes 2023, David Warner had announced his desire to retire from Tests after the third match against Pakistan in Sydney. Mitchell Johnson questioned Warner’s farewell following the opener’s involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal against South Africa.

I’d Like To See That Happen – Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting expressed his intention to mediate between David Warner and Mitchell Johnson. Ponting acknowledged the feisty nature of both players and traced the origins of their conflict back to the Ashes selection six or eight months ago.

“I have to get in between these two guys at some stage … I think I need to be the mediator and get them both in a room and let them have it out rather than playing it out in the media,” Ponting told Sunrise on Thursday morning.

“They’re both pretty feisty characters and we know this issue that’s come up now goes back six or eight months, back to the Ashes selection. That’s where it all started. It sounds like an issue that’s gone on without either of them sitting down and having a face-to-face conversation. I’d like to see that happen,” he added.

He’s Made It Clear He Wants To Finish Off In Sydney – Ricky Ponting

The former Australia skipper emphasized that David Warner’s focus is on performing in the upcoming Test match in Perth and concluding his career on a positive note in Sydney.

“He is not the one that’s coming out saying all this stuff about a farewell tour, he just wants to do line up next week in Perth in that Test match and score some runs and he’s made it clear he wants to finish off in Sydney,” Ponting further added.

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: ‘Owners Didn’t Take Gamble’: Ricky Ponting Reveals Travis Head Was On DC’s Radar In IPL 2023 Auction