Cricket Australia (CA) removed former pacer Mitchell Johnson from two planned guest speaking appearances at Optus Stadium in Perth after his strong criticism of former teammate David Warner.
This decision came in response to a critical article Johnson wrote about Warner. The article, published in The West Australian, had harsh criticism directed at Warner and chief selector, Geroge Bailey.
Johnson had said that Warner didn’t deserve a hero-like farewell for involvement in “the sandpaper gate”, the ball-tampering incident in South Africa in 2018.
As a result, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to withdraw its commitment to have Johnson as a guest speaker during two lunches in the Perth Test between Australia and Pakistan due to the former cricketer’s controversial column, as reported by News Corp.
As reported by The Indian Express, a CA spokesman told News Corp: “Mitchell is one of Australia’s most celebrated bowlers, but we felt on this occasion it was in everyone’s best interests that he was not the guest speaker at the CA functions.”
According to reports, former Australian cricketer and commentator Mike Hussey filled in as the guest speaker for the lunch events in the Perth Test after Johnson's axing by the CA.
Before the first Test against Pakistan, Johnson criticized Warner, stating that he doesn’t deserve a hero's farewell at the SCG due to his involvement in the Sandpaper Gate scandal in 2018.
Warner responded to Johnson in style by scoring a stunning knock of 164 runs off 211 balls on the opening day of the Test against Pakistan. Australia had won the game by 360 runs against Pakistan. They will next face each other in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG on December 26.
