Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has slammed Candice for defending her husband David Warner on a television show. Candice had defended David’s place in the Australian cricket team for the World Test Championship final against India and the first two Ashes Tests, despite his recent poor form. Johnson expressed his discomfort at Candice’s comments and argued that current form should be the deciding factor in player selection.
Although David was named in the 17-man squad, many have suggested that he needs to perform well to keep his spot. When the host of the show asked Candice about this, she responded that David does need to perform well, but so does the whole team. However, when pressed on David’s poor performances in recent matches, Candice defended her husband by asking, “if Dave doesn’t perform in that first Test, who do they bring in that’s better?”
Johnson disagreed with Candice’s defense of her husband and argued that current form is crucial in determining a player’s selection. While he acknowledged David’s successful career as an opener, Johnson believed that current form is what matters. He added that the argument that players should be judged solely on their previous achievements was flawed.
“I get all that, but if Dave doesn’t perform in that first [Ashes] Test, who do they bring in that’s better?. We’ve all appreciated Warner’s tremendous career as an opener and what he’s achieved. But that’s not what it’s about. His form has not been up to scratch for a while now,” Johnson said.
He added: “Warner even had his wife Candice defending him in her panel role on the TV show The Back Page this week. Her loyalty might be admirable but it was all a bit weird and cringey when she said if Dave doesn’t perform in that first Test, who do they bring in that’s better? I hate that argument. If players were only judged on their previous achievements then Dennis Lillee would still be opening the bowling for Australia and Ricky Ponting would be batting at No.3.”
Coming to David’s current scenario in professional cricket, he is currently leading Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will be up against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 40th match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
