(Cricket News) Former Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson has launched a scathing critique of the decision to include David Warner in the squad for the upcoming first Test against Pakistan, scheduled to take place in Perth on December 14. Australia is gearing up for a challenging three-Test series against Pakistan, with matches set to unfold in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. Subsequent engagements against the West Indies in Adelaide and Brisbane add to the cricketing calendar’s intensity.
In a strongly-worded column penned for The West Australian, Johnson probes the rationale behind affording Warner a farewell opportunity in the series against Pakistan. He particularly emphasizes Warner’s perceived arrogance and his failure to shoulder responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal that transpired five years ago. Johnson expresses deep disappointment at what he views as Warner’s reluctance to truly own up to the controversy, positing that the opener’s inclusion in the team is indicative of continued arrogance and disrespect toward the Australian cricket team.
Having declared his intention to retire after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January, Warner’s farewell plans have come under scrutiny from Johnson. Casting doubt on the sincerity of Warner’s public desire for a Test farewell, Johnson points to the player’s less-than-stellar performance over the last two years, citing an average of 26.74 in his last 36 Test innings. The former teammate further highlights Warner’s struggles during the recent Ashes series in the UK, where he managed to score only 285 runs at an average of 28.50 across five Tests.
Injecting a touch of humor into his critique, Johnson speculates on the unique items fans might bring to Warner’s farewell, playfully suggesting that Bunnings, a popular hardware store, could see a run on sandpaper—a tongue-in-cheek allusion to the infamous sandpaper gate incident.
Moreover, Johnson underscores the profound importance of an international cricket career, contending that a player’s legacy extends beyond mere statistical accomplishments with bat or ball. According to him, a cricketer’s lasting impact is intricately tied to how they carry themselves and their approach to the game, aspects that will be remembered long after their departure from the sporting arena.
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