Mitchell Johnson Removed by Cricket Australia for Controversial Column on David Warner

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Former Aussie Bowler Sacked from Public Speaking Events

Cricket Australia has made a surprising move by removing former Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson from two scheduled public speaking events at Perth Stadium during the Pakistan-Australia Test series. This decision comes in the aftermath of Johnson’s explosive column where he questioned the place of David Warner in the Test team, particularly addressing the controversy surrounding the “sandpaper gate” incident in South Africa in 2018.

Cricket Australia’s Decision Sparks Controversy

In a report by News Corp, Cricket Australia explained that, despite Johnson being one of Australia’s celebrated bowlers, it was in the best interests of everyone involved that he is not the guest speaker at the CA functions. The decision to prevent Johnson from these events has stirred up debates and discussions within the cricket community.

Michael Hussey Steps in as Replacement

Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey has been brought in as a replacement for Johnson in the public speaking engagements. This move aims to divert attention from the controversy surrounding Johnson’s column and maintain a positive atmosphere during the cricket events.

Johnson Reflects on Regrets in Podcast

Following the uproar caused by his column, Johnson addressed some of the criticisms in his podcast, The Mitchell Johnson Show. He admitted regret over a specific part of his article, acknowledging that certain remarks, such as references to “Bunnings” and “sandpaper,” may have been distasteful. However, he reiterated that his overall opinion on Warner’s position in the team remains largely unchanged.

Johnson Stands Firm on Column Points

In his latest column, Johnson reinforced his earlier stance, emphasizing that he still stands by what he wrote in his previous article. He pointed out Warner’s recent lack of runs, except for a notable double century last summer, and suggested that the current season, with matches against Pakistan and the West Indies, would have been an ideal time to introduce new players to the team.

Johnson Advocates for Blooding New Players

Johnson argued that the ongoing soft summer, with Australia expected to comfortably defeat Pakistan and the West Indies, presented a perfect opportunity to give new players valuable playing time. He emphasized the importance of blooding new talent, especially considering the upcoming challenges of facing India and England in a five-Test series across the next two summers.

The Continuing Debate Over Johnson’s Column

The controversy surrounding Mitchell Johnson’s column continues to spark discussions about the balance between expressing opinions and respecting the contributions of seasoned players. Cricket enthusiasts are closely watching how Cricket Australia’s decision and Johnson’s steadfastness will impact the broader conversation within the cricketing community.

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