Mitchell Johnson has steamed in off a future to take a rare swipe at Aussie opener David Warner.
The Test legend has not been shy about sharing his ideas concerning the present Aussie crew — and famously referred to as Pat Cummins “gutless” — however his newest assault on Warner often is the most explosive but.
The fast-bowling destroyer on Saturday revealed a column in The West Australian the place he has re-ignited a long-running feud with Warner and his household.
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A disagreement between Johnson and Candice Warner was probably the most shocking beefs of 2023 after the West Australian referred to as for Warner to be dropped from Australia’s Ashes tour within the UK this 12 months because of his poor kind.
Candice hit again on the criticism by saying Johnson was solely utilizing her husband’s title to get a headline.
Johnson responded once more by calling Candice’s assist of her husband “cringe”.
The feud has exploded once more with Johnson now launching a seemingly unprovoked assault on the batsman.
Warner, 37, is heading into the 2023-24 Aussie summer time of cricket having put it on file he plans to retire with a remaining New Year’s Test in Sydney.
Warner is decided to play the primary three Tests of the summer time in opposition to Pakistan and bow out in entrance of his residence crowd on the SCG, however he solely handed 50 twice as he averaged 29 with the bat over his 10 Ashes innings this winter.
Warner first made the decision in June — placing Aussie selectors within the sizzling seat about dropping him from the crew with the end line in sight.
Former Australian all-rounder Simon O’Donnell stated he believed no participant had the fitting to resolve how lengthy they might play on at worldwide degree, however former Aussie coach Darren Lehmann stated final month that Warner has earnt his farewell Test sequence.
It’s very apparent Johnson doesn’t agree along with his former coach, writing in his explosive column that Warner hasn’t “warranted a hero’s send off” and urged the ball-tampering scandal is one more reason Warner hasn’t earned the fitting to name the pictures.
“Does this really warrant a swan song, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team,” Johnson wrote.
“It’s been five years and 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.”
It’s straightforward to overlook the pair spent 5 years as teammates within the Aussie Test crew earlier than Johnson’s retirement.
Johnson additionally took a rare shot at Warner’s farewell tour by suggesting followers in Sydney must convey cuts of sandpaper to wave in the identical approach followers famously waved crimson hankies to honour Steve Waugh in his remaining Test.
“What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper,” he wrote.
“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.
“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.”
Johnson questioned whether or not selectors Tony Dodemaide, George Bailey and McDonald have been too near the present squad of gamers to make the arduous choices that earlier members of the choice panel had.
In one remaining swipe, Johnson additionally appeared to criticise Warner’s “ticker-tape parade” — stating he himself and icon’s like Steve Waugh had retired with out a lot fanfare.
Meanwhile, consideration has turned to who will exchange Warner on the high of the Aussie batting order for the Test sequence in opposition to the West Indies in February.
Ricky Ponting is backing forgotten man Cameron Bancroft to get the gig. Bancroft was infamously busted carrying sandpaper in the course of the Cape Town Test scandal and his profession is just now recovering.
Bancroft, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris and Cameron Green have all been picked in a PM’s XI to face Pakistan in Canberra beginning December 6.
Source: www.news.com.au
