Mitchell Johnson’s controversial column taking aim at David Warner and George Bailey has taken another twist with the former fast bowler now back on the Triple M line-up for their coverage of Australia’s Test against Pakistan in Perth.
On his podcast, The Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show, he explained the reasoning for the column and indicated he would be back in the Triple M booth this summer to commentate when the first Test gets underway next Thursday at Optus Stadium.
“I’m all good. I will be doing some commentary for Triple M in the first Test. We’ll see what happens there,” he said.
But when Triple M issued a media release on Tuesday with a list of 18 experts who would be on the air over the summer, Johnson’s name was nowhere to be found.
Warner’s wife Candice is an on-air presenter at Triple M and Johnson had a public stoush with her earlier this year after she defended her husband during an appearance on The Back Page.
Triple M eventually clarified that Johnson would be part of the on-air commentary, a day after issuing the initial line-up.
Meanwhile, Johnson has also been branded ‘un-Australian’ by former NRL star turned boxer Anthony Mundine, who gave the ex-international both barrels via AAP.
“It’s a low act,” said Mundine, who is a friend of Warner. “Things should be positive. Former teammates, teammates, should stick together. It’s un-Australian.
“The same thing happened to me. When I retired from football, I went overseas to clear my mind and clear my head and (former Dragons captain) Craig Smith was giving me a bit of a hammering. He didn’t know what I was going through.”
“Why wouldn’t Mitchell speak to him face to face himself first? There would have been a bit of a relationship there based on those five years (of being Australia teammates).
Johnson has copped a huge backlash as well as plenty of support for airing his views that Warner was not deserving of a retirement farewell tour while Bailey has become too close to the players during his role as chief selector.
The former bowler concedes his relationship with Warner and fellow former teammate Bailey was already damaged but insists that was not solely why he wrote the article.
“People have touched on it, (that) there seems to be a personal side to it, which there is as well,” the 42-year-old said.
“But when I’ve written my articles, I’ve always tried to do it in a way that I can back things up … it is my opinion, it is only an opinion piece.
“This one was a difficult one to do … when I wrote it, I knew it was probably going to get a bit of attention.”
Mitchell Johnson and David Warner celebrate a wicket in 2014. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Warner has expressed a desire to finish his red-ball career at home when Australia face Pakistan at the SCG in the third and final Test of this summer’s series.
He and Johnson played together for Australia for more than five years, including in the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash and 2015’s ODI World Cup victory.
Bailey was Johnson’s teammate in Australia’s white-ball sides as well as the 2013-14 Ashes campaign.
Warner has yet to acknowledge Johnson’s scathing criticism but the opener’s manager James Erskine described the 73-Test bowling star “ignorant” and a “backseat driver”.
“If he basically thinks three people did sandpaper-gate, then he should go to the moon for a holiday. I mean, it’s just a joke,” Erskine told SEN on Monday.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
How is Warner a sook?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Disagree jamesb. The more times that Sandpapergate is mentioned the harder it is for 'our' media to transform Warner into a loveable larrikin. Sandpapergate Sandpapergate Sandpapergate Sandpapergate Sandpapergate Sandpapergate...
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
I was commenting in relation to this statement that was pretty clear. "Now he chooses his departure time , venue and , it seems . his departing status ." I read it.
No9
Roar Rookie
Read what I said : ..or so Warner has told us of his modest hopes of it .i.e.. his departure .
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
A better writer. He doesn't have to attempt to be controversial to convince his audience; just write like a mature adult and focus on the issue, not the person. At no stage has Warner chosen his departure time.
No9
Roar Rookie
Advice ... from whom ? How did he show that he was prepared to take this unstated advice ? Johnson is the child in Hans Christian Anderson's tale of the emperor who had no clothes . Warner has admitted publicly his integral part in Sandpapergate ..An odious episode which will be reported and spoken of for a hundred years.We remember his weepy television performance . Now he chooses his departure time , venue and , it seems . his departing status . Johnson has said : this player , Warner , has no clothes and further , he is no emperor He does , however , get an emperor's floral deparure . Or so Warner has told us of his modest hopes of it .
No9
Roar Rookie
Johnson's comments were once called plain speaking . We have too many measured , gentle , euphemisic opinion pieces that no one reads or heeds . Johnson spoke without ambiguity and no one could misunderstand his opinion . Strength to his arm ..and his pungent diction .
No9
Roar Rookie
After Sandpapergate we were told there would be a cultural change in the Australian team . It took a formal enquiry to find that ???? I gave away these foolish and embarrasing representatives of Australia a long,long time ago .Long before Sandpapergate . Even Alan Border conceded the Australian team was not popular . So what was the result of this change of culture ?amRunning out/stumping a batsman who thought that a hundred years of established precedence was sufficient to protect his wicket . Not against the Ugly Australians alas ! They admitted that that reformed post culture era report adventure was planned . Cricket has been diminished to a street mob fight between the Capulets and the Montagues. We are all diminished by the the conduct of this team .How very sad for a once noble game .
danwain
Roar Rookie
I don't think you'll find many that will argue that Hayden was not a (much) better batsmen that Warner, and if you do, they aren't a serious cricket watcher. Can't really compare Warner and Johnson, both were fairly inconstant but were capable of top echelon brilliance on their day.
NQR
Roar Rookie
And I believe Glen Lazarus should have been considered better than Artie IMO. I won’t argue my bias but I think my comment about Hayden being superior to Warner you agree with? I consider McGrath superior to Warnie and DK but that’s a hot topic and it’s based on numbers and consistency. Warner and Johnson were both exciting and also inconsistent. To say Warner is superior to Johnson (eg. like Tempo and NSWelshman ) is fanciful. Very different disciplines both brilliant at times. Johnson announced his retirement discreetly at the end of a Test series. Warner announces his retirement plan 12 months prior? That’s the difference between their character. I can see one is looking at the other very differently.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Johnson himself admits that he probably went too far with his "sandpaper" remark. “There is one thing I wasn’t that happy with — I didn’t notice it at the time. I was reading the article and just sort of went with it. The ‘Bunnings’ and the ‘sandpaper’ part of it. Probably distasteful,” he said. “That was probably something that didn’t need to be said.” Many people will agree with the view of his article, but he didn't need to mention "sandpaper". https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/12/04/johnson-reveals-the-moment-it-became-personal-with-david-warner/
danwain
Roar Rookie
You seem to be getting your argument somewhat confused there, having a go at NSW for fawning over their sportspeople and then doing the exact same thing for a QLD sportsmen.... Warner and Johns are not gods in NSW the same way Wally Lewis is revered in QLD, or Warne is revered in Victoria. I believe they are both referred to as KING in their respective home states. But yes, its NSW that has the issue with overt adoration of their sporting heroes. For the record Hayden is the third best batsmen I have seen play for my country, behind Ponting and Smith, if that helps alleviate some of the state partisanship.
Morz
Roar Rookie
I fully support Mitchell Johnson's stance. As for Mundine's comment about being "Un-Australian" -give me a break. Blatant cheating by loading up your pockets with Sandpaper because you think you are not good enough to get the opposition out within the laws of the game - now that is "UN-AUSTRALIAN". Smith and Warner should have never been allowed near a cricket field again - ever.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That's why there's not many witches around now
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
Hmmmm .... I think there might be something in that for all of us ... don't 'you'?
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
It’s not an ‘agree/disagee’ interaction. I was just pointing out your hypocrisy…*shrug*
NQR
Roar Rookie
LOL. Like sarcasm it obviously doesn’t register with some.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yes, he was good on the ABC. Much better than Dirk Nannes.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
She was cringey when talking about why Davey should be still picked in the test. Gees, she's his wife, it was poor form by Tony Squires (Back Page) to give her a platform to promote her husband.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Speaking of toeing the party line... I'm still waiting for someone to point out where these "scathing" "personal attacks" are.