Mitchell Johnson criticizes former Australian teammate David Warner in extraordinary attack: ‘No respect for our country’
- Former fast bowler brands Warner ‘arrogant’
- Says Warner didn’t guarantee ‘the hero’s farewell’
- Claims Veteran ‘Never Owned Ball Tampering Scandal’
Australian cricket legend Mitchell Johnson has reignited a long-running feud by taking a stunning swipe at David Warner, insisting the opener ‘did not warrant a hero’s farewell’.
The former fast bowler called for Warner to be dropped from Australia’s Ashes tour earlier in 2023, sparking a war of words between Johnson and Candice Warner.
Candice hit back at Johnson, saying his opinions were irrelevant and “didn’t have much merit.”
Johnson has revived the feud with Warner and his family with a column published in The Western Australia on Saturday.
Warner has stated that he plans to retire from Test cricket after the New Year match against Pakistan at the SCG in January.
Mitchell Johnson has reignited his feud with David Warner after attacking his former Australian teammate over his Sydney Test retirement plan
Candice Warner and Johnson had a war of words earlier this year after the former fast bowler called for Warner to be dropped following a run of poor form
Johnson has questioned why a ‘struggling Test opener’ is allowed to nominate his own retirement date, saying he has ‘not justified the sacking of a hero’.
He also suggested that the infamous ball-tampering scandal that shocked world sports in 2018 is another reason why Warner should not nominate his farewell series.
“Is this really worth a swan song, a last hurray against Pakistan who was predicted a year in advance as if they were bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team,” Johnson wrote.
“It’s been five years and Warner still has never really gotten the ball tampering scandal under control.
“The way he’s going out now is backed by more of the same arrogance and disrespect toward our country.”
Johnson also noted that Sydney fans could be waving sheets of sandpaper during the final Test.
“What do fans bring to Warner? Bunnings would sell out without sandpaper,” he wrote.
‘Ultimately, an international cricket career is not just about your statistical performance with bat or ball. How you conducted yourself and how you played the game will live on long after you leave.
Johnson believes Warner should not be allowed to dictate his retirement from Test cricket
Warner indicated he plans to retire to Sydney after the third match against Pakistan in January
‘Australian coach Andrew McDonald recently said they will choose this summer’s Test squad based on current performances.
“It would be nice to know how long this strategy has been around, as it doesn’t seem to have been applied to Warner in a while.”
Johnson also noted that little fuss was made about the retirements of bowling greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and that they “didn’t tell the world months in advance when they would end.”
Johnson himself admits he announced his own international retirement before playing on the final day of a Test against New Zealand.