Sydney, Dec 3: Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson launched a scathing attack against his ex-teammates David Warner and George Bailey, questioning why Warner is getting a Test farewell despite his struggles in red-ball cricket and accused him of not owning up to his role in the ball-tampering scandal.
Writing for The West Australian, Johnson said that Warner’s current form and his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal, also known as the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ do not justify him getting a “hero’s send-off”. Warner has been named in the 14-man squad for the first Test against Pakistan, starting on December 14.
Johnson said that though the opener has a “decent overall record” and is considered by many as one of the greatest openers in Australian cricket, his past three years with the bat have been ordinary in Tests, “with a batting average closer to what a tail-ender would be happy with.”
In the 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal, also known as the ‘Sandpaper Gate’, then-Australian captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batter Cameron Bancroft received heavy sanctions from Cricket Australia for their involvement in ball-tampering during the series against South Africa.(Agencies)
