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Mitchell Johnson criticised David Warner, his Test
teammate, and Usman Khawaja responded by calling Warner “a hero” who
has made up for the Sandpaper-gate incident.
In the third Test of the summer series against
Pakistan, the former fast bowler Johnson claimed that Warner, his former
partner, did not deserve to be sent off.
Johnson’s article in The West Australian was something
Khawaja “strongly disagreed” with, adding that Warner and former
captain Steven Smith—who was also given a one-year ban—had to pay for their
errors.
“Davey Warner and Steve Smith are heroes in my
mind,” Khawaja said. “They missed a year of cricket through dark
times in Australian cricket but they have paid their dues.
“No one is perfect. Mitchell Johnson isn’t
perfect. I am not perfect. Steve Smith is not perfect. David Warner isn’t
perfect.
“What they have done for the game and to grow the
game far outweighs anything else they have done.
“So for [Johnson] to imply that Dave Warner or
anyone else involved in [the] Sandpaper [incident] is not a hero, I strongly
disagree with because I believe they have paid their dues.”
Khawaja stated that he disagreed with Johnson’s
assertion that George Bailey, the head of selectors, was too close to Warner
and the other players.
Bailey, according to him, offered the part a
“breath of fresh air”. Australia has won the 2021–22 Ashes and will
hold them in 2023. They have also triumphed in the 2021 T20 World Cup, the
World Test Championship, and the ODI World Cup, all during Bailey’s leadership.
While acknowledging the impact of coach Andrew
McDonald, Khawaja also addressed McDonald’s recent comments on SEN, in which
the coach suggested that Marnus Labuschagne may take Warner’s place as the Test
team’s opener.
“Have you asked Marnus this? I think he would
give you a really clear, ‘hell no’,” Khawaja said. “Marnus has got
opening-itis. I am pretty sure Davey Warner hurt his arm and sent Alex Carey
out to open. I think that is a long shot.”