Unravelling the drama between Australian players David Warner and Mitchell Johnson – A closer look

Currently, the focal point of social media drama for sports enthusiasts revolves around Australian cricketers David Warner and Mitchell Johnson. The controversy originated when it was revealed that Warner would receive a Test farewell following the team's matches against Pakistan. Warner, included in the 14-man squad alongside the recalled fast bowler Lance Morris, is set to play in the series starting in Perth later this month.

So why was there an issue with the Test farewell David Warner will be receiving?

The source of the issue surrounding David Warner's Test farewell stems from former Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson. The former pacer questioned the justification for Warner receiving such treatment, accusing him of not taking responsibility for his role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. 

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In an article for 'The West Australian,' Johnson argued that Warner's recent form did not merit a dedicated retirement date and suggested that his involvement in the scandal should disqualify him from a "hero's send-off."

"It's been five years and David Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal. Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country," Johnson wrote.

"As we prepare for David Warner’s farewell series, can somebody please tell me why? Why a struggling Test opener gets to nominate his retirement date? And why does a player at the centre of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrant a hero’s send-off?

"Warner certainly isn't Australia's Test captain and never deserved to be for that matter. He ended his career under a lifetime leadership ban. Yes, he has a decent overall record and some say is one of our greatest opening bats. But his past three years in Test cricket have been ordinary, with a batting average closer to what a tail-ender would be happy with.

"It's the ball-tampering disgrace in South Africa that many will never forget. Although Warner wasn’t alone in Sandpapergate, he was at the time a senior member of the team and someone who liked to use his perceived power as a 'leader'. Does this warrant a swansong, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team?"

Soon after Australia chief selector George Bailey was asked about Johnson's comments at a press conference to which he said, "I've been sent little snippets of it – I hope he's OK. I've got no idea [if he is]".

Why was this article made by Mitchell Johnson?

Following the widespread attention garnered by the article, it quickly became headline news. Two days after his criticism of Warner, Johnson disclosed the motive behind his outburst. Johnson shared that earlier this year, Warner had sent him a text message after he authored a column about the left-handed batsman's wife, Candice, defending her husband's position in the team.

Although Johnson refrained from providing extensive details about Warner's "quite personal" text message, he acknowledged that it, along with the ball-tampering scandal, played a role in inspiring his column for 'The West Australian.'

"I got a message from Dave, which was quite personal. I tried to ring to try and talk to him about it, which I've always been open to. I know I've been open to the guys when I finished playing. I said if I'm in the media and writing things or saying things that you don't like, just come and speak to me," the former Australia pacer said on 'The Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show'.

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"It was never a personal thing then until this point. This is probably what drove me to write the article as well, part of it. It was definitely a factor. Some of the stuff that was said in that, I won't say it. I think that's up to Dave to say it if he wants to talk about it. There was some stuff in there that was extremely disappointing, what he said, and pretty bad to be honest," he added.

Johnson was additionally angered by Bailey's reaction to his article about Warner, which he perceived as an allusion to his mental health.

"To ask if I'm okay because I've had mental health issues is pretty much downplaying my article and putting it on mental health, which is quite disgusting, I think. It's basically having a dig at someone's mental health and saying that I must have something going on, a mental health issue has made me say what I have said. That's not the truth. That's completely the opposite. I'm actually clear-minded," he quipped.