David Warner brushes off stinging Johnson criticism: 'It wouldn't be summer without a headline'

08.12.2023 - 08:02 news24.com

David Warner brushed off scathing criticism from former teammate Mitchell Johnson over his selection for Australia's Test series against Pakistan, saying on Friday: "Everyone's entitled to their own opinions."Johnson lashed out in a newspaper column after veteran opener Warner was picked for the three-match home series starting next week in what is expected to be his Test farewell.READ | No Bavuma for ODIs as Cricket SA names Proteas squads for India seriesJohnson questioned why the 37-year-old should get a "hero's send-off" given his recent poor Test form, while bringing up Warner's central role in the "Sandpaper-gate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018.Steve Smith and Warner were both banned for a year for their part in the notorious incident."It wouldn't be summer without a headline," Warner said at an event to launch broadcaster Fox Sports' summer cricket coverage."It is what it is.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinions. But moving forward, we're looking for a nice Test over in the west (of Australia)."The first Test starts in Perth on 14 December before moving to Melbourne and then Sydney, where Warner is hoping for an emotional farewell in front of his home fans.Warner's long-time opening partner Usman Khawaja rallied behind him following Johnson's comments, saying that "no one's perfect", with allrounder Glenn Maxwell also offering support.Australian skipper Pat Cummins said the team were "fiercely protective" of the 109-Test veteran, who has been a fixture of the side for 12 years."I think we protect each other a lot.

We have been through a lot over the years," he said, sitting alongside Warner at the same broadcast function."Our boys, I've played alongside someone like Davey or Steve (Smith) for a dozen years

cricket David Warner Pat Cummins Glenn Maxwell Steve Smith Australia India Pakistan county Smith county Johnson county Mitchell

Veteran Australian opener David Warner has picked Marcus Harris as his replacement at the top of the order after he quits the longest format of the sport. Warner had already said that the ongoing three-Test series against Pakistan will be his last in the format. While there have been talks about his ideal replacement in red-ball cricket, Warner vouched for the 31-year-old Harris, who he feels has been around for a long time and that the selectors need to show faith in him. "It's a tough one. It's obviously up to the selectors. But from my position, I feel like the person who's worked their backside off and has been there for a while in the background," Warner was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday.

Watch: Pakistan Star Abdullah Shafique's Dropped David Warner Catch Is Fodder For Memes

Catches win matches, as goes the saying but Pakistan didn't have the best of start in the field as they took on Australia in the second Test of series in Melbourne. The tourists let the chance of getting the dangerous Aussie opening batter David Warner out early as Abdullah Shafique dropped one of the easiest chances in the slips. David Warner edged a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi into the hands of Shafique who just coudn't grab the ball successfully, leaving his teammates disappointed and Warner amused.

Watch: Shaheen Afridi Can't Believe As Asad Shafique Drops Sitter, Gives David Warner Lifeline

Catches win matches, as goes the saying but Pakistan didn't have the best of start in the field as they took on Australia in the second Test of series in Melbourne. The tourists let the chance of getting the dangerous Aussie opening batter David Warner out early as Asad Shafique dropped one of the easiest chances in the slips. David Warner edged a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi into the hands of Shafique who just coudn't grab the ball successfully, leaving his teammates disappointed and Warner amused.

"If He Bats Like That, He Can Go Another Year": Ian Healy Praises David Warner

David Warner can continue playing Test cricket for another year if he continues his imperious form displayed against Pakistan in the just concluded first Test in Perth, former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy said. The 37-year-old, who scored a match winning 164 off 211 ball in the first innings against Pakistan in the opening Test, which Australia won by 360 runs, is playing his swansong series as he is likely to bid adieu to the longest format of the game after the third Test in Sydney in his home ground.

"Did What He Was Paid To Do": Mitchell Johnson Aims Fresh Attack At David Warner

Not long after he launched a scathing attack at David Warner, Mitchell Johnson fired another salvo at the Australia opener despite his century in the first Test agaisnt Pakitan at Perth. Johnson, who earlier said that Warner 'doesn't warrant a hero's sendoff', feels things could've gone either way for Warner who recieved a lifeline ealry in the first innings, before going on to make a 164.

"It Was Nice Little Quiet Shush": David Warner On His Statement Century Celebration

Australia's star opener David Warner opened up on his trademark celebration after slamming a century against Pakistan on Day 1 of the opening Test match at the Perth Stadium on Thursday. Warner hushed all doubters about his form in Test cricket on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan, slamming a typically explosive 164 off 211 balls in a spectacular start to his farewell series. After making 'shush' gesture following his Test century on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Perth Stadium, Warner says Mitchell Johnson is entitled to his opinion and that he is free to celebrate how he likes.