Warner shrugs off Johnson criticism as a home summer 'headline'

08.12.2023 - 02:25 channelnewsasia.com

MELBOURNE : David Warner has shrugged off Mitchell Johnson's withering criticism of his selection in Australia's test squad as a "headline" for the home summer, saying his former team mate is entitled to his opinion.In an incendiary column Johnson questioned Warner's place in the side for the Pakistan series, citing his waning output in test cricket in recent years.Johnson also said Warner had not taken full responsibility for the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal and questioned whether he should be given a "hero's send-off" in the third test in Sydney, which the lefthander has nominated as his last."It would not be a summer of cricket without a headline," Warner said at a broadcaster event in Sydney on Friday."Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

But moving forward, we are looking to a nice test over in the west."Johnson's comments triggered a fierce reaction in Australian media, with some pundits condemning the former test quick.He later revealed his column in the West Australian newspaper was motivated in part by a personal spat with Warner and expressed regret for some of the content.Team mates Usman Khawaja and Glenn Maxwell threw their support behind Warner this week, and captain Pat Cummins said the squad had rallied around the batsman."I think we protect each other a lot.

We have been through a lot over the years," Cummins told reporters at the event."I’ve played alongside someone like Davey or Steve (Smith) for a dozen years now."(We are) fiercely protective of each other."It is hard to say (what Johnson's motivation is).

You have to ask Mitch. But there are so many things we should be celebrating about Australian cricket at the moment."Cummins also defended selector George Bailey, who Johnson said was too

cricket Celebrity Testing reports as David Warner Pat Cummins Glenn Maxwell George Bailey Australia 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.

"Is Cricket Australia Serious?": Mitchell Johnson On Receiving Invitation For Award Ceremony

Former pacer Mitchell Johnson has expressed his surprise after receiving an invitation to the 2024 Australian Cricket Awards. This comes after Cricket Australia (CA) blocked two of his speaking engagements last week. On the decision to cancel his speaking arrangements, CA had cited concerns over his recent column targetting former teammates David Warner and George Bailey. Johnson had hit out Warner over his 'heroes send off' and was also critical of chief selector Bailey for being biased in deciding the opening batter's future.

"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.