Mitchell Johnson’s criticism of David Warner’s retirement intentions has prompted Warner to respond, claiming his former teammate is entitled to his ideas, no matter how harsh.
The hesitation of the 37-year-old opening batter to add fuel to the fire comes as Australian captain Pat Cummins claims the Test team will be “fiercely protective” of the 109-Test veteran if he is attacked from outside.
Warner hopes to end his spectacular Test career when Australia faces Pakistan on his home turf at the SCG in the third and final match of the series, which begins on Thursday in Perth.
However, in a weekend newspaper essay, 72-Test former firebrand Johnson questioned Warner’s fitness to pick his own retirement date and reopened old wounds by recalling his role in the “Sandpapergate” ball-tampering incident.
The retiring fast, who is now a Triple M radio pundit, has been roundly chastised for the breadth of his criticism, which included speculating that “Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper” in the run-up to the proposed farewell Test.
Warner, on the other hand, shrugged them off as he addressed them for the first time.
“It wouldn’t be a summer without a headline, would it?” he asked on Friday at the start of Fox Cricket’s summer programming. “That’s what it is. Everyone has the right to their own views. Moving forward, we anticipate a pleasant Test in the west.”
Warner has only scored one Test century in 25 matches since the summer of 2020/21, a memorable 200 against South Africa in his 100th Test at the MCG in late 2022. Last season, he averaged 22.8 with 365 runs from nine Tests and a best score of 66.
Australian selectors have stayed by Warner during the rough patch but are in the process of deciding his replacement beyond Sydney, with frontrunners Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris dueling at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
In recent days, the playing group has been equally encouraging.
“I think we protect each other a lot,” Cummins explained. “Our guys, we’ve been through a lot over the years. I’ve known Davey and Steve (Smith) for a dozen years now, and we’re passionately protective of each other. Sometimes you have to remind yourself of how much great support is available.”
Warner, who wants to conclude his career on a high note, said he learned a long time ago to knuckle down in the face of criticism such as Johnson’s.
“My parents ingrained that into me,” he went on to say. “They taught me to fight and work hard every day.” When you step into the world stage, you have no idea what comes with it: a lot of media, a lot of criticism, and a lot of positives.
“I think what’s more important is what you see here today – people coming out to support cricket.”
Cummins is optimistic that Australia will be able to move on from the drama ahead of their first home fixture since a brilliant winter that included victories in the ODI World Cup and World Test Championship finals, as well as a drawn Ashes series in England.
The Perth Test will also mark Nathan Lyon’s return from a calf injury sustained earlier in the Ashes.
“This has been arguably our most successful year to date.” “We’re in for an exciting summer,” Cummins added. “There’s so many positive things around Australian cricket I think we should be talking about and we’re focusing on that (Johnson’s column).”
