The Australian cricket scene is embroiled in controversy as former fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, in an article for The West Australian, questioned David Warner‘s deserving a “hero’s send-off” due to his current form and involvement in the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ ball-tampering scandal.
Johnson raised concerns about Warner being allowed to choose his retirement date and receiving hero treatment despite his connection to a major cricket scandal.
Controversy surrounds the Australian cricket scene
The statement elicited diverse responses. Now, Candice Warner, David Warner’s wife, has shared her perspective on the matter. At the launch of this year’s IronMan and IronWoman series, she was quoted by WWOS as saying:
“We’re doing well. David’s home. He’s been away for three months so to have him home now and be together as a family in the lead-up to Christmas is always special.”
Candice mentioned her happiness at Warner receiving support from both former and current teammates following Johnson’s comments.
“It’s really lovely for David to have that support but he’s a good human being and at the end of the day that’s all that matters,” she said.
David Warner’s manager, James Erskine, responded to former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson’s criticism, where Johnson questioned Warner’s Test farewell, citing his struggles and accused him of not taking responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal.
Earlier this year, Warner expressed his intention to retire from Test cricket, aiming to conclude his red-ball career at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Erskine countered Johnson’s criticism, asserting that questioning Warner’s selection lacks logic. He was quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald, “Let me tell you, anyone can get a headline. The fact is [Warner’s selection] is just logical.”
”The three [replacement] candidates will be [Matthew] Renshaw, [Cameron] Bancroft – who has played pretty well in the Sheffield Shield – and [Marcus] Harris. Now they’ve all had spells opening the batting for Australia.”
Erskine continued by highlighting that the trio of Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matthew Renshaw had only secured one century in a total of 38 Test matches, with a combined average in the mid-20s.
Erskine supported Warner’s performance, emphasizing that Warner scored a half-century in his recent Test innings during the Ashes and was the top run-scorer for Australia in the ODI World Cup.
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