Mitchell Johnson sacked by Cricket Australia over David Warner column

The repercussions from Mitchell Johnson’s volcanic David Warner column continue with the Australian great given the boot by Cricket Australia.

Mitchell Johnson was stood down from two public speaking functions by Cricket Australia following his volcanic column criticising David Warner and George Bailey.

Johnson had agreed to do two lunch time guest speaking appearances at Optus Stadium during the Test but such was the personal nature of his column that CA abandoned the plan.

It is understood Mike Hussey filled in for one of those appearances.

“Mitchell is one of Australia’s most celebrated bowlers, but we felt on this occasion it was in everyone’s best interests that he was not the guest speaker at the CA functions,’’ a CA spokesman told this masthead on Tuesday.

It is believed that while CA respects Johnson’s right to have a public opinion, the caustic nature of what he wrote for The West Australian newspaper gave the issue a much harder edge than regular critical commentary from an ex-player.

There may have also been fears that current Australian players or staff could have taken exception at Johnson being celebrated in such a fashion at official Cricket Australia functions.

David Warner and Mitchell Johnson in happier times. Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP Image

CA’s move is likely to anger free-speech advocates who felt Johnson should be allowed to speak out, regardless of whether you agreed with his take on Warner and Bailey.

It is understood Johnson and Warner have not spoken since the fallout.

Johnson’s column rocked the media world with radio station Triple M initially not including him in their list of broadcasters for the first Test, before confirming a day later he would be present.

The former fast bowler may be on the outer with the current team, but Matthew Hayden greeted him with a warm hug on the field in Perth and other ex-players also rallied around him in the hallways of Optus Stadium.

Johnson savaged Warner in his newspaper column in The West leading up to the first Test, questioning why he deserved a farewell Test series and condemning him again over the Sandpapergate scandal.

About National Selector Bailey, Johnson accused his former Ashes and World Cup teammate over a lack of “courage” where he questioned his integrity and professionalism over the handling of Tim Paine’s exit from the team and now Warner’s ongoing selection.

In a podcast a few days after publishing, Johnson admitted regret at the personal nature of his references to Sandpapergate but stood by his column overall, something he continued to do during the Test while on air on Triple M.

Bailey in a press conference following Johnson’s column had used the phrase “I hope he’s OK,” which Johnson took as a “childish” and “condescending” shot at his mental health and said in the podcast he was “disgusted” by Bailey’s comments.

CA denied Bailey was referring to Johnson’s mental health.

During the Test match, Warner appeared to direct a pointed celebration at Johnson and other knockers after he made a match-winning 164 in the first innings – bounding in the direction of the commentary box and placing his finger over his mouth in a silencing motion.

That sentiment was backed up by wife Candice on social media, tweeting a similar silencing emoji.

Originally published as Mitchell Johnson sacked by Cricket Australia over David Warner column