The cricket world has reacted with shock to Australian fast bowling great Mitchell Johnson’s scathing attack on former teammate David Warner and national selector George Bailey.
Johnson penned a column in The West Australian, arguing Warner doesn’t deserve to play a farewell series due to his role in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal of 2018.
Johnson, who played 265 matches for Australia across formats, also took aim at Bailey’s integrity and professionalism, questioning whether the national selector was too close with the playing group.
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The comments have sparked strong reactions from cricket fans, pundits and former players. And while it has sparked debate about whether Warner deserved selection in Australia’s squad given his recent form, many suggested Johnson went too far with the personal attack.
“Ive always liked Mitch and respect his achievements but for someone so fragile to criticism as a player, I’m staggered what he continues to hand out now he’s jumped the fence,” veteran cricket writer and former Australian team official Malcolm Conn wrote.
Cricket reporter Tom Morris said Johnson had “continued his old man yelling at clouds era” and called the attack on Bailey “particularly staggering and bizarre.”
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke was surprised by the comments, saying he had not seen evidence of significant “beef” between the pair when he played with them.
“In every sporting team. Not everybody gets on. Not everyone is best friends,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“Dave is a strong character, Mitch is a strong character, (they) went hard at each other in the nets.
“I saw that but I couldn’t sit here and say they had beef against one another when we played.”
Clarke, who like Johnson made the transition from player to pundit, said it was important for former players in media jobs to speak their mind. However it was put to him by Big Sports Breakfast co-host Laurie Daley that Johnson’s attack on Warner was overly personal.
“Yeah (that’s why I wonder if) maybe I’ve missed something here … Mitch hasn’t played for years now so maybe there is beef, I don’t know,” Clarke said.
“When you’re in a role like this … if you have an opinion and it’s based on what’s best for the team, or your experience, then go with that.
“But it should never be personal. I try not to make it personal and if it comes across that way you try and apologise for that because you don’t want that.”
Veteran cricket writer Daniel Brettig was among those who pointed out Johnson had form, having also strongly taken aim at Test skipper Pat Cummins in early 2022.
“Mitchell Johnson’s column in February 2022 called Pat Cummins gutless and suggested it was a big mistake to change coaches because “the easy road isn’t always the best one to take”. That aged well!
Bailey raised concerns about Johnson’s well-being when asked to react to the former fast bowlers comments on Sunday.
“I’ve been sent little snippets of it,” Bailey said of Johnson’s column.
“I hope he’s okay.
“My only observation would be if someone can show me how being distant and unaware of what players are going through and what the plans are with their team and the coaching staff, how that’s more beneficial, I’d be all ears.”
