Fans pile into David Warner after Mitchell Johnson questions his right to farewell series against Pakistan

Mitchell Johnson’s explosive The Sunday Times column on David Warner has resonated with fans and sparked a torrent of comments piling into the Aussie batter.

In Johnson’s hard-hitting piece, the former Australian fast bowler questioned why his former teammate had the right to dictate his own retirement tour in the wake of his involvement in the infamous sandpaper scandal as well as his sub-par red-ball form.

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And fans have backed the adopted West Australian, setting the scene for an intriguing start to the Test summer in Perth next week.

“Thank you Mitch! I may partly change my opinion of DW if he ever apologises to Cam Bancroft - but until then he will never rate. It will be fitting if Cam replaces DW as opener as he deserves,” Robyn C said.

Matthew W added: “Warner gets to choose his send-off because he holds the bowlers, including Pat Cummins, to ransom. There is no way the bowlers didn’t know what was going on with the sandpaper on the ball. He will probably release the tell-all book down the road anyway when the money starts running out. He definitely does not deserve to be in the team on form.”

“Absolutely agree with the article. The arrogance of the guy. All he has waffled on about lately is his retirement and how much he is looking forward to his on air TV role. The guy cannot put a decent sentence together without reverting back to himself. I certainly won’t be listening to the guy,” John T wrote.

Christine C labelled Warner “a cheat” and said he “should never have played for Australia again”.

Other fans aimed at the team hierarchy.

“Never was an article so pointed at the current set-up. The role of head selector is a joke. Let’s call it best mates and BBF’s. There is no way Warner should have been selected for the Ashes, let alone the series we are now about to see. I’m glad Mitchell called it for what it is. Well written Mitchell,” Rodney C wrote.

“The arrogance of the Aussies still allowing Warner and Smith to play at the highest level...I don’t take much to Johnson, but in this instance, he’s absolutely spot on,” Yozza said on X.

Vikas Bhardwaj also took to X to say, “The Cheat clearly has some dirt on the Aussie Selectors that he continue to maintain his spot without doing much whatsoever. There has been no disciplinary action on him, especially considering his wife spits venom against the Aussie selectors often.”

Huey stated: “Smith and Warner cried crocodile tears, and Bancroft didn’t. 2 of these guys got back in the side, and the other who was left holding the bag hasn’t been given any opportunities. Good on MJ for calling this crap out.”

Warner has been selected in the 14-man squad to face Pakistan for the Perth Test starting on December 14 and is likely to be picked in the starting XI.

The 36-year-old has signalled his intentions to retire after the Sydney Test in early January.