As Australia gears up for the Test series against Pakistan, a significant chapter is set to close as David Warner, one of the nation’s cricketing legends, takes the field in the whites for the last time. Warner, despite his recent struggles in the longest format, has secured a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series—an decision that hasn’t escaped the critical eye of former Australian cricket star Mitchell Johnson. In a candid column for The West Australian, Johnson expressed his dissatisfaction with Warner’s inclusion, questioning the rationale behind allowing the struggling opener to dictate his own retirement timeline.

In his column, Johnson didn’t mince words:

“As we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series, can somebody please tell me why? Why does a Test opener battling poor form get to choose his own exit date? And why does a player embroiled in one of the most significant scandals in Australian cricket history deserve a hero’s farewell?”

The ‘sandpaper gate’ scandal, which implicated not only Warner but also Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, resulted in penalties from Cricket Australia. Despite the collective punishment, Smith and Warner were additionally barred from leadership roles post-suspension. Johnson, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with Warner’s prominent role in the scandal, particularly considering his seniority within the team.

“While Warner wasn’t the sole figure in the Sandpapergate saga, he held a senior position in the team at the time, often wielding his perceived power as a ‘leader,'” Johnson remarked.

The former Aussie quick didn’t hold back on his criticism of Warner’s exit, attributing it to what he perceived as continued arrogance and disrespect towards the country. Johnson even quipped about the potential reception Warner might receive from fans, humorously suggesting,

“What will fans bring for Warner? Bunnings would sell out of sandpaper.”

Beyond his critique of Warner, Johnson took a swipe at Australia coach Andrew McDonald, insinuating that Warner’s selection didn’t align with the stated criteria of picking the squad based on current performances.

“Australia coach Andrew McDonald recently stated that this summer’s Test squad would be selected based on current performances. It would be interesting to see how long this strategy has been in place, as it doesn’t appear to have been applied to Warner for quite a while,” Johnson pointedly remarked.

In conclusion, Johnson emphasized that an international cricket career extends beyond statistical achievements, highlighting the enduring legacy of how a player conducted themselves and approached the game—a sentiment he believes Warner’s exit fails to reflect.