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Usman Khawaja with David Warner (Image Credit: Twitter)
David Warner has been one finest openers of this generation. The left-handed opener is on the verge of ending his Test career in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. Warner won his second ODI World Cup after 2015 as the batter was the highest run scorer for his side in the tournament. The 37-year-old batter was involved in the famous 'Sandpaper Gate' scandal, he was banned for a year and he has a lifetime ban from captaincy or leadership roles.
The left-hander has not performed well in the longest format of the game in recent years but is set to receive a farewell match in Sydney in January 2024. Two-time ODI World Cup winner Mitchell Johnson lashed out at Cricket Australia's chief selector George Bailey. The former believes that a player involved in one of the biggest scandals did not deserve a "hero's send-off".
In response to Johnson's critics, opener Usman Khawaja has replied saying he disagrees with Johnson's column in The West Australian, adding Warner and former skipper Steven Smith, who was also banned for a year, had paid for their mistakes. The Aussies are hosting Pakistan in the for a three-match Test series starting on December 16.
Davey Warner and Steve Smith are heroes in my mind: Usman Khawaja
Johnson said, "As we prepare for David Warner's farewell series, can somebody please tell me why? Why a struggling Test opener gets to nominate his own retirement date? And why a player at the center of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrants a hero's send-off?,"
In reply Khawaja said, "Davey Warner and Steve Smith are heroes in my mind. They missed a year of cricket through dark times in Australian cricket but they have paid their dues. No one is perfect. Mitchell Johnson isn't perfect. I am not perfect. Steve Smith is not perfect. David Warner isn't perfect."
"What they have done for the game and to grow the game far outweighs anything else they have done. So for [Johnson] to imply that Dave Warner or anyone else involved in [the] Sandpaper [incident] is not a hero, I strongly disagree with because I believe they have paid their dues."