Melbourne: Former Australia speedster Mitchell Johnson has made a scathing attack on David Warner after the opener has been picked for the first Test to be played against Pakistan in Perth from December 14.
Australia will meet Pakistan in a three-Test series hosted by Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, before taking on the West Indies in Adelaide and Brisbane
“Does this really warrant a swansong, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team?” wrote Johnson in his column for The West Australian.
Warner’s selection has irked Johnson and he has lambasted his former teamamte for not owing about his role in the sandpaper gate saga.
“It’s been five years and Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal.
“Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country.”
Warner has long suggested that he plans to retire after the third Test against Pakistan on his home ground, the SCG, in January.
Johnson has questiones Warner’s public desire for a Test farewell and why it was being accommodated by the selectors despite his form over the last two years, given he has averaged 26.74 in his last 36 Test innings. Warner has struggled in the Ashes in UK, scoring only 285 runs at an average of 28.50 across the five Tests.
“What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper,” Johnson wrote.
Meanwhile, Johnson says a career of an international cricketer is not remembered for the numbers but how they have played the game.
“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.”
Australian squad for first Test vs Pakistan
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Agencies

KR Desk