No-Nonsense Response of Usman Khawaja to Mitchell Johnson's Criticism
The inclusion of David Warner in the Australia team for the Test series against Pakistan has become a subject of serious debate, with suggestions being made that the opening batter didn't deserve to be included in the team. Former pacer of Australia Mitchell Johnson, in his column, launched a sharp attack at Warner and the Australian selectors after he was added to the Test roster despite poor form. The criticism of Johnson of Warner hasn't been welcomed by many, with Australia batter Usman Khawaja calling the comments by the former Aussie star "harsh."
Johnson wrote in his column for the West Australian, "Why does a player at the center of one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history warrant a hero's send-off?"
Khawaja, however, said that both David Warner and Steve Smith—two of the three players at the center of the ball-tampering scandal—are heroes in his eyes.
Khawaja told the reporters that "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.
He further said, "So for Johnson to imply that Dave Warner or anyone else involved in the Sandpaper incident is not a hero, I strongly disagree with that because I believe they have paid their dues."