Well the heirarchy at CA dont like Mitch.Cricket Australia dismiss Mitchell Johnson over explosive David Warner column
Cricket Australia was so upset with Mitchell Johnson’s explosive column about David Warner that he was dumped from two public speaking engagements in WA.
According to the Herald Sun, Johnson was scheduled for two lunchtime speaking functions at Optus Stadium during the First Test against Pakistan. But CA ditched the plan after the fallout from Johnson’s column in The Sunday Times, in which he criticised Test opener Warner and selector George Bailey.
CA said while they respected Johnson’s right to an opinion they felt it was in their best interest to not let him speak in Perth.
“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,’’ a spokesperson told the Herald Sun.
CA may have also feared the playing group taking exception to Johnson speaking with many supporting Warner following the column.
t is understood Mike Hussey filled in for one of Johnson’s engagements.
However many fans and even ex-players, such as Warner’s former Test opening partner Ed Cowan, sided with Johnson, who was warmly received throughout the Test.
Despite the snub and Warner making 164 in Australia’s first innings against Pakistan Johnson doubled down on his comments in his latest column on Sunday.
“I think my opinion in this column a couple of weeks ago is still valid. He hadn’t scored runs in about three years apart from the double century last summer,” Johnson wrote.
“Another point made was that a soft summer like this, with Australia expected to comfortably beat Pakistan and the West Indies, was the perfect time to look at blooding some new players into an ageing team,”
“They could have given some new guys some really good time out in the middle this summer and backed them in. That’s going to be much harder across the next two summers when India and England visit for five-Test series.”
Warner made a pointed century celebration on day one of the Test, placing his finger over his mouth after jumping towards the media boxes.
Meanwhile, George Bailey used the phrase “I hope he’s OK,” in response to Johnson’s criticisms over his lack of courage as a selector which Johnson took as a “childish” swipe at his mental health - a claim CA denies.
On ya Mitch,George you are a dill.