Prior to Australia’s first Test match against Pakistan, Mitchell Johnson—one of the most deadly pacers Australia has ever produced—made news for his controversial remarks against his former teammate David Warner. Earlier in the year, the southpaw declared that after playing the third and final Test against Pakistan, he would call it quits on his Test career.
Noting David Warner role in the infamous Sandpapergate affair of 2018, Johnson questioned how Warner was getting to determine the path to his farewell.
Following the incident, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to have Johnson appear as a guest speaker at Optus Stadium in Perth during the conclusion of Australia’s first Test match against Pakistan on Sunday, December 17. After making contentious comments about Warner and selector George Bailey in a column for the West Australian, the 42-year-old was supposed to make two guest speaking appearances, but CA was unable to fulfill their obligation.
A CA representative told News Corp. on Tuesday, December 19, “Mitchell Johnson is one of Australia’s most renowned 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, the legendary Australian batter Mike Hussey took on Mitchell Johnson guest speaker duties at the luncheons. As David Warner achieved his 26th Test century in the opening innings of the first Test, he was able to silence his skeptics. With 16 fours and four sixes in 221 balls, the 37-year-old scored 164. After dismissing the tourists for just 89 runs in the fourth inning, Australia went on to win the match by an overwhelming 360 runs. Starting on Tuesday, December 26, the second Test will take place in Melbourne.
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