Candice Warner has made many headline-grabbing revelations in recent days, but it is one of her more innocuous statements that has caught the attention of Aussie cricket legend Mitchell Johnson.
Warner was on the Back Page last week offering proud support for husband David Warner, whose position at the top of the batting order remains one of the most debated issues heading into the 2023 Ashes Tour in the UK, beginning in June.
The batter was selected in the 17-man squad announced last week and seems certain to be picked for the World Test Championship final against India.
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Candice said she was surprised David had been “singled out” in speculation surrounding the team.
She then politely bristled when it was put to her by Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane that he needed to start the campaign well.
“Absolutely he does. But so does the whole team,” Candice said.
“If Dave doesn’t perform in that first Test, who do they bring in that’s better?”
“His form wasn’t great that last Ashes. Stuart Broad had his number I think (seven) times. So it didn’t look good for him. And he hasn’t performed well over there in the past.
“But who do you put in?”
Now Johnson has put in his two cents, saying his former teammate should be feeling the heat due to his lack of form.
“We’ve all appreciated Warner’s tremendous career as an opener and what he’s achieved. But that’s not what it’s about,” Johnson wrote in a column for The West Australian.
“His form has not been up to scratch for a while now.
“Warner even had his wife Candice defending him in her panel role on the TV show The Back Page this week.
“Her loyalty might be admirable but it was all a bit weird and cringey when she said if Dave doesn’t perform in that first Test, who do they bring in that’s better?
“I hate that argument. If players were only judged on their previous achievements then Dennis Lillee would still be opening the bowling for Australia and Ricky Ponting would be batting at No. 3.”
None of the debate will impact David Warner, Candice said last week.
“Mentally he is fine. You never have to worry about where he’s at mentally,” she said.
“I think going to a country where you haven’t performed before there’s always going to be anxiety, and just thinking about Broad.
“I’m sure England won’t make the same mistake as they made out here, leaving Broad out of the first Test. I think that was a huge mistake.
“It’ll be interesting to see them match up and the way England go about their cricket – if they’re as attacking as they have been playing.”
