Mitchell Johnson fires back with new David Warner claim

Mitchell Johnson was live on radio when David Warner was dismissed for a duck against Pakistan and it didn’t go as expected.

Mitchell Johnson is standing his ground after three days of scorn.

The former Test quick has taken a thinly veiled swipe at David Warner in another spicy newspaper column where he reiterated his view selectors should have used this Test series against Pakistan to blood Warner’s eventual replacement.

Johnson, commentating on Triple M radio, played a straight bat after watching Warner fall for a duck on Saturday in Perth — but he still had some shots to fire in his Sunday column.

Johnson was widely mocked throughout the opening three days after Warner’s swashbuckling first innings knock of 164 — having declared last week Warner’s recent form was not good enough for Test selection.

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“On day one of the first Test against Pakistan Warner rode his luck early on — and it could have gone either way — and you take that and he went on to make 164,” Johnson wrote for the West Australian.

“He did what he was paid to do in the first innings before Saturday’s duck in the second innings.

“Warner may have denied he cares about criticism of his form, but it definitely does drive him as shown in his performance in the first innings.

“That sort of atmosphere is something Warner revels in.”

He went on to write: “I think my opinion in this column a couple of weeks ago is still valid.

“He hadn’t scored runs in about three years apart from the double century last summer.

David Warner of Australia looks dejected after being dismissed by Khurram Shahzad of Pakistan. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

“Another point made was that a soft summer like this, with Australia expected to comfortably beat Pakistan and the West Indies, was the perfect time to look at blooding some new players into an ageing team.

“They could have given some new guys some really good time out in the middle this summer and backed them in. That’s going to be much harder across the next two summers when India and England visit for five-Test series.”

Earlier, Warner looked filthy after a wayward stroke brought him undone just five balls into his innings on Saturday.

It was the first time Warner has fallen for a duck after scoring a century in the first innings of a Test — having stolen the show on the opening day with a rapid-fire knock of 164.

Johnson was sensationally stitched up by Channel 7 producers as Warner bashed his way towards triple figures as the former Ashes destroyer watched on from the Triple M commentary box at Optus Stadium.

Warner walked out to bat on Thursday with his career on the line after Johnson’s sensational declaration the 37-year-old hasn’t deserved a “hero’s farewell” Test series before he walks into retirement following the New Year’s Test at the SCG.

It’s why the Channel 7 cameras zoomed in on Johnson early in the day’s play at the exact moment Warner had just struck a boundary.

Johnson had a chance to respond to those that criticised him for the explosive newspaper column he wrote last week when Warner fell for a duck on Saturday — but let the opportunity sail through to the keeper.

Warner tried and failed to lift Khurram Shahzad over the leg side, popping up an easy catch for Imam-ul-Haq at mid-wicket.

Channel 7 showed Mitchell Johnson watching David Warner smash boundaries.

Johnson’s commentary of the dismissal showed no hint of glee or emotion.

“There’s that little paddle that he tries to get around the corner,” Johnson said alongside Brad Haddin and Mark Howard.

“He has struggled with that in the past.”

Johnson and Haddin noted the pitch appeared to show some uneven bounce at the time of Warner’s dismissal.

Haddin said Warner “lost control” of the shot after the delivery hit the seam and went away from him.

After Warner and Marnus Labuschange (2) fell cheaply, Australia needed Steve Smith (43 not out) and Usman Khawaja (34no) to steady the ship.

The pair survived until stumps and Australia will resume its second innings at 2/84 — a lead of 300 after Pakistan was knocked over for 271 earlier in the day’s play.

Mitchell Johnson and David Warner. Photo: Getty and Twitter, Triple M Cricket.

With Australia well on the way to a victory, Warner remains one of the biggest talking points in the match — because of Johnson’s attack.

Warner said before and after the first day that the storm surrounding him wasn’t a bother.

He celebrated his century by briefly putting his hand to his mouth as if shush those calling for his early retirement.

“It’s one of those things, there’s always going to be criticisms,” Warner told Adam Gilchrist heading off the field for the tea break.

“No better way to silence it than to put runs on the board.”

Warner said after the day’s play the gesture wasn’t directly pointed at Johnson.

“It’s just anyone who wants to write stories about me and, you know, trying to use headlines get headlines, that stuff doesn’t bother me,” he said.

“It’s just the fact that I have to go out there, do what I have to do. And I’m allowed to celebrate how I want.”

Originally published as Mitchell Johnson fires back with new David Warner claim