Mitchell Johnson Slams David Warner's "Hero's Sendoff", Australia Chief Selector Responds

Australia's squad selection for the Test series against Pakistan hasn't been without controversy. David Warner's inclusion in the series hasn't gone down well with former Australia star Mitchell Johnson who lashed out at the Aussie opener, while also reigniting the ball-tampering controversy. Johnson, in his criticism for Warner, said that the southpaw doesn't deserve a "hero's sendoff" referring to the Pakistan series being his last.

Not just that, Johnson also targeted Australia's chief selector George Bailey for selectoring Warner despite his poor Test form.

"When then-captain Tim Paine's career was ending over the sexting controversy, chairman of selectors George Bailey said he didn't want to be part of deciding Paine's fate because the pair were close friends. The handling of Warner in recent years, who played with Bailey in all three forms, raises the question of whether Bailey was simply too quickly out of playing and into the job and too close to some of the players," said Johnson in his column for The West Australian.

When Bailey was asked about Johnson's comments, he said that he hopes the latter is OK.

"I've been sent little snippets of it. I hope he's OK. I've got no idea [if he is]. My only observation would be if someone can show me how being distant and unaware of what players are going through and what the plans are with the team and with the coaching staff, how that's more beneficial, I'd be all ears," said Bailey.

Ahead Of Pakistan Tests, Australia Chief Selector Responds To Mitchell Johnson's Criticism Of David Warner

As far as Warner's record in Tests is concerned, he has featured in 109 Test matches for Australia, scoring 8487 runs at an average of 44.33. In tota, he has scored 25 hundreds and 36