Tensions rise as David Warner’s manager hits back at Mitchell Johnson’s scathing remarks

In the lead-up to David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket, tensions have escalated between the Australian star opener’s manager, James Erskine, and former cricketer Mitchell Johnson. Johnson’s public criticism of Warner’s recent form and his connection to the ‘sandpapergate’ scandal has sparked controversy. 

However, Erskine has vehemently dismissed Johnson’s statements, accusing him of missing the logical reasoning behind Warner’s decision. The core of Johnson’s critique centres on Warner’s recent performance and the infamous ball-tampering incident. 

“It’s been five years and David Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal. Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country…As we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series, can somebody please tell me why?” Johnson said.

“Why a struggling Test opener gets to nominate his own retirement date. And why a player at the centre of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero’s send-off? … his past three years in Test cricket have been ordinary, with a batting average closer to what a tail-ender would be happy with … Does this really warrant a swansong, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team?” he added.

He should go to the moon for a holiday: David Warner’s manager

In response, Erskine has labelled Johnson as arrogant. As Warner gears up for his final Test series against Pakistan, the off-field drama adds an intriguing layer to the cricket narrative.

“Let me tell you, anyone can get a headline. The fact is [Warner’s selection] is just logical. The three [replacement] candidates will be [Matthew] Renshaw, [Cameron] Bancroft – who has played pretty well in the Sheffield Shield – and [Marcus] Harris. Now they’ve all had spells opening the batting for Australia. David is in good form. Thank God Mitchell Johnson isn’t a Test selector. He’s ignorant because if he actually thinks that just three people basically did ‘SANDPAPERGATE’, then he should go to the moon for a holiday.” Erskine was quoted as saying by Circle of Cricket.