The row involving former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson and Australia opening batter David Warner refused to die down, with the former lashing out at former teammate and national team selector George Bailey for questioning his mental health.
Johnson, in a recent article in the The West Australian, had questioned the selection of Warner in the Test squad against Pakistan for his “farewell series”, referring to his lack of form in the longer format, and said that the opener, who was involved in the infamous ball-tampering scandal, did not deserve a “hero's send-off”.
He also accused of Bailey being close to Warner. When asked about Johnson's article and his reaction to it, Bailey said, “I have been sent little snippets of it. I hope he is okay.”
His remark did not go down well with Johnson, who, on his podcast The Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show, said, “To ask if I am okay because I have had mental health issues is pretty much downplaying my article and putting it on mental health, which is quite disgusting, I think.
"It's basically having a dig at someone's mental health and saying that I must have something going on, a mental health issue has made me say what I have said. That's not the truth. That's completely the opposite. I am actually clear-minded,” Johnson said.
"I am okay. I want to make sure everyone knows that I am okay and I am actually in a good headspace. It seems very childish from George and condescending.”
Johnson also revealed the reason for his scathing attack on Warner. “It was around the time that Candice (Warner's wife) had said on (TV show) The Back Page about there not being openers good enough to take his position. That’s when I responded.”
"And I got a message from Dave, which was quite personal and I tried to ring him to talk to him about it, which I’ve always been open about with the guys.
“It was never a personal thing then — until that point (of the text message). That is what prompted me to write the article or part of it as well."
