Mitchell Johnson has reiterated his critique of opener David Warner, despite Warner’s notable 164-run performance in the first innings of the Perth Test against Pakistan. The ongoing feud between the two cricketers, sparked by a controversy before the Australian summer’s first Test, escalated when Johnson disapproved of Cricket Australia allowing Warner to choose his farewell Test match.
In a critical column for the West Australian, Johnson remarked that Warner had early luck in the first Test against Pakistan, acknowledging that the outcome could have been different. Despite Warner’s impressive 164, Johnson noted Warner’s disappointment with a duck in the second innings.
“On the opening day of the initial Test against Pakistan, Warner had some early luck it could have turned out differently. Despite that, he seized the opportunity and scored an impressive 164. He performed his duty in the first innings, as expected, but faced disappointment with a duck on Saturday in the second innings,” Johnson wrote in his column.
Johnson argued that Warner excels under criticism, attributing his harsh words to Warner’s motivation and even taking credit for Warner’s magnificent century in the first innings.
Warner’s substantial innings played a pivotal role in Australia’s commanding total of 487, setting a challenging target of 450 runs for Pakistan in the fourth inning. But the Men in Green had no clue of Australia’s bowling as Australia bowled them out for just 89 runs in the fourth inning of the match and won the match by a massive 360 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match Test series.
