David Warner’s manager countered Mitchell Johnson’s critique, asserting the rationale behind Warner’s selection while humorously expressing relief that Johnson isn’t a Test selector.
Former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson recently made headlines by criticizing David Warner and chief selector George Bailey. Warner is preparing to retire from Test cricket after the upcoming series against Pakistan. Johnson, who was Warner’s teammate during the 2015 ODI World Cup, expressed disbelief at Warner’s involvement in deciding his farewell. Johnson also criticized Warner for not taking accountability for the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ scandal and questioned his consistency in Test cricket.
“It’s been five years and David 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,” Johnson wrote in his Sunday column in The West Australian.
“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? And why a player at the center of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero’s send-off? Warner certainly isn’t Australia’s Test captain and never deserved to be for that matter. In fact, he ends his career under a lifetime leadership ban,” he added.
In response, Warner’s manager, James Erskine, defended Warner’s selection to the Test team. Erskine, quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald, humorously remarked that it’s fortunate Johnson isn’t a Test selector. He also highlighted Warner’s good form as a contributing factor in his selection, countering the criticisms with a defense of the 37-year-old’s performance and suitability for the team.
“Let me tell you, anyone can get a headline. The fact is (Warner’s selection) is just logical. The three candidates will be (Matthew) Renshaw, (Cameron) Bancroft – who has played pretty well in the Sheffield Shield – and (Marcus) Harris. Now they’ve all had spells opening the batting for Australia. David is in good form. Thank God Mitchell Johnson isn’t a Test selector,” Erskine remarked.
Warner showcased remarkable form in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023, ranking as the tournament’s sixth-highest run-scorer. With 535 runs in 11 games at an average of 48.64 and a strike rate of 108.29, his performance included two centuries and two half-centuries. Presently, Warner is gearing up for the upcoming Test series, starting on December 14 in Perth, followed by matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
Last Updated on December 4, 2023
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