Cricket Australia removes Mitchell Johnson as guest speaker amid David Warner row

Mitchell Johnson and David Warner. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Mitchell Johnson, one of the most lethal pacers that Australia ever produced, recently grabbed headlines after his explosive comments on former teammate David Warner ahead of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan. The southpaw said earlier this year that he would bring curtains down on his Test career after playing the third and final Test against Pakistan. Johnson questioned how Warner was getting to choose the route to his farewell, mentioning his involvement in the infamous Sandpapergate scandal of 2018.

Now, Cricket Australia (CA) reacted to the incident by removing Johnson as a guest speaker at Optus Stadium in Perth during the first Test between Australia and Pakistan, which finished on Sunday, December 17. The 42-year-old was scheduled for two guest speaking stints but CA could did not honour their commitment after the controversial remarks he directed at Warner as well as chairman of selectors George Bailey in his column for the West Australian.

“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 CA spokesman told News Corp on Tuesday, December 19.

The reports mentioned that legendary Australian batter Mike Hussey reportedly filled in for Johnson as the guest speaker for the lunch events. Meanwhile, Warner managed to silence his doubters as he notched up his 26th Test ton in the first innings of the first Test. The 37-year-old scored 164 off 221 balls, belting 16 fours and four sixes. Australia won the match by a mammoth 360 runs after bundling out the tourists for just 89 in the fourth innings. The second Test will be played in Melbourne and it begins on Tuesday, December 26.