David Warner is going to retire from the Test format after the third Test in Sydney against Pakistan in early 2024. The 37-year-old had already stated his desire to leave test cricket just a few months ago.
Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has shown his displeasure for a ‘hero-like’ send-off. Mitchell Johnson has stated his displeasure while writing a column for a local Australian newspaper in his hometown of Perth.
Mitchell Johnson takes a huge shot at David Warner
Former Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson has taken a huge swipe at David Warner. The 37-year-old left-handed batter is set to retire from test cricket after the third test match versus Pakistan in January at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Mitchell Johnson made stinging observations while writing for The West Australian News Paper. “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?”
The former Australian pace ace also took a dig at David Warner’s involvement in the Sand-Paper gate saga. “And why a player at the centre of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero’s send-off?”
The former fast bowler also noted “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’,” he said.
During his news piece, Mitchell Johnson also poked fun at the likely farewell gift fans might get David Warner. “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 added,
David Warner hasn’t been in the greatest of forms as far as the test format is considered. The left-handed batter was part of the Australian team that won the recent ODI World Cup 2023 tournament in India.
Mitchell Johnson also took veiled shots at coach Andrew McDonald in his article. “Ultimately, an international cricket career is not just about your statistical achievements with bat or ball. How you held yourself and how you played the game will live long after you depart,” said Starc.
The former Aussie pacer finished his article by writing, “Australia coach Andrew McDonald said recently they will be picking this summer’s Test squad based on current 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.”
