Australia’s left-handed opener David Warner finally broke his silence on ex-pacer Mitchell Johnson’s comments saying that a cricket summer has its headlines.
Warner paid no attention to Johnson’s comments and confirmed that he and the team are entirely focused on the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan which begins on December 14 in Perth.
“A cricket summer needs its headlines. That’s just the way it goes. Everyone can have their say. But looking ahead, we’re focusing on a good Test out west,” Warner said to the reporters.
The 37-year-old then added that his parents made him a hard worker who doesn’t focus much on what the media says.
“I connect with my roots. Growing up was wonderful with my parents, who instilled the value of hard work in me every day. As you step onto the global stage, you don’t grasp what comes with it, media scrutiny, and criticism, but also numerous positives. What truly matters is what you witness today, people rallying to support cricket, Australian cricket, and the sport in general. It’s fantastic,” he added.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had also opined on the ongoing feud between the two and offered to mediate.
It must be noted that Johnson, who represented Australia in 256 international matches, had questioned why is Warner being treated this well by the selectors despite being part of a ball-tampering scandal in 2018.
"It's been five years and David Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal," Johnson wrote. "Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country.
"As we prepare for David Warner's farewell series, can somebody please tell me why?"
Warner has a 26.74 average in red-ball cricket over the last two years and struggled to score big during the Ashes 2023 as the left-handed batter could only amass 285 runs in 10 innings at an average of 28.50.
Johnson couldn't understand why a player who has been struggling badly in Test cricket announced his own retirement and is getting a hero's send-off
"Why a struggling Test opener gets to nominate his retirement date. 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.
- David Warner