"We’re adults. You move on" - Mitchell Johnson aims to patch things up with David Warner ahead of 1st AUS vs IND 2024 Test
Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson has acknowledged that he will try to settle his differences with David Warner during their broadcasting duties over the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth. Johnson had criticized his former teammate in a scathing newspaper column and comments in the media, which slowly developed into a war of words.
Johnson had brought up Warner's involvement in the ball-tampering scandal and questioned Cricket Australia (CA) for giving the opening batter the privilege of a farewell Test series during the last home season. Johnson's comments had stirred up a storm, and he later admitted that a text from Warner led him to write such an opinionated piece.
The opening batter was not pleased with Johnson's earlier article where he mentioned that Candice Warner's constant defense of her husband was 'cringe'.
After a year since the infamous feud, Warner and Johnson are part of broadcasting teams responsible for the coverage of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Johnson is part of Channel Seven, while Warner signed a deal with Fox after he retired from international cricket.
“We’re adults. You move on. You live our own lives, and we all cross paths at some point. “So from my point, I’m an adult, he’s an adult. You say, ‘good day’ and wish each other best, which, yeah, I don’t take too much out of that whole situation," Johnson said via The Nightly
Warner had his first taste of broadcasting with the commencement of the Australian home summer. He was in the commentary box for the white-ball series against Pakistan and will be back on the field leading the Sydney Thunder for the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL).
"He’s going to always be one of those characters that goes harder and you say what he feels" - Mitchell Johnson on Warner
Warner had the cricketing world in uproar before he began his broadcasting career properly. The former opener had acknowledged that he would be ready to come out of retirement if Australia are struggling to search for his replacement at the top of the other.
His comments backfired as the team management opted for a transition, and picked Nathan McSweeney instead.
“It’s not about it’s not about us now we’re in the commentary box — we’re there to give insight. I’ve even mentioned that some of his insight, I’ve agreed with in recent times, he’s going to always be one of those characters that goes harder and you say what he feels. I think as a commentator, you want people to give opinion — he’s an ex-player now, he’s in the commentary box like everyone else, and I think he should be able to give that insight," Johnson added in the same interaction.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 22. The Optus Stadium in Perth will host the series opener.