Mitchell Johnson was not eligible for two public speaking jobs by Cricket Australia following his column criticising David Warner and George Bailey, News Corp reported. The decision to revoke Johnson’s invitation was made by CA due to the intensely personal nature of the column, which was published before the recent win over Pakistan. The article itself reportedly had a much harsher tone than a typical critical opinion piece by a former player.
Featuring current players and staff at the official Cricket Australia events and potential fear of conflict between them and Johnson were also potential reasons for the decision. The column caused a rift between Johnson and Warner, as they have not spoken since its publication. Johnson had questioned Warner’s selection and criticised Bailey’s integrity in continuing to pick Warner despite a slump in performance.
On the other hand, Mitch Marsh’s significant contributions are being celebrated within Australian cricket. Marsh has shown excellent form, scoring quick runs and taking vital wickets during Australia’s Test series-opening win over Pakistan in Perth, earning him Man of the Match honours. His performance after returning to Test cricket has been pivotal, and he is now considered a key player ahead of series against India and England.
One remarkable distinction in Marsh’s game is his readiness to embrace his strengths rather than trying to imitate others. He has reaped the rewards of his approach across all formats. Australia captain Pat Cummins praised Marsh’s clear game plan and willingness to play to his own strengths rather than conform to a specific playing style.
The upcoming Boxing Day Test against Pakistan will see Nathan Lyon filled with confidence after claiming his 500th Test wicket in the recent win in Perth. Lyon’s spinning ability and unmatched skills were lauded by teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who called him a star and praised the difficulty of his bowling style for opposing teams.