David Warner Doesn't Warrant Hero's Send-Off Due To Involvement In Sandpaper Gate: Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson expressed his displeasure on David Warner getting to choose his farewell series owing to his lack of form and involvement in the 'sandpaper gate' scandal.
Australia are all set to lock horns against Pakistan in a Test series which will mark the one final time David Warner will don the Test whites for the Kangaroos. Even though the southpaw hasn't been in the best of forms with the bat in the game's traditional format he was picked for this series, much to the surprise of former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson. The ex-Aussie speedster expressed his displeasure on Warner getting to choose his farewell series owing to his lack of form and involvement in the 'sandpaper gate' scandal.
"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? Johnson wrote in his column for The West Australian.
"And why a player at the centre of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero's send-off?" he added.
It is crucial to note that Warner was not alone in being punished for the sandpaper gate incident. Other than Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were also punished by Cricket Australia (CA). While Smith and Warner were banned from leading the side after a suspension, Johnson was not pleased with the special tratement he was getting after being involved in such a scandal despite being a senior member of the team.
"Although Warner wasn't alone in Sandpapergate, he was at the time a senior member of the team and someone who liked to use his perceived power as a 'leader'," Johnson wrote.
"Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country. What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper," he stated.
"Ultimately, an international cricket career is not just about your statistical achievements with bat or ball. How you held yourself and how you played the game will live long after you depart," the 42-year-old said.
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