Mitchell Johnson stood down from Cricket Australia role in twist to David Warner saga

Details have come to light about Cricket Australia's decision to stand Mitchell Johnson down from a speaking function in the wake of his swipe at David Warner. Johnson was slated to appear at two speaking functions in the lead-up to the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at Perth Stadium last week, but Cricket Australia decided it would be better if he didn't take part.

According to News Corp, Johnson was replaced by Mike Hussey at the last minute. A spokesperson for Cricket Australia told News Corp: “Mitchell is one of Australia’s most celebrated bowlers, but we felt on this occasion it was in everyone’s best interests that he was not the guest speaker at the CA functions."

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The governing body reportedly felt that Johnson had taken things too far when he criticised Warner in an explosive column for the West Australian. Johnson said he felt Warner shouldn't be in the Test team at all let alone afforded a farewell at the SCG, branding the veteran opener "disrespectful and arrogant". That came after he'd labelled Candice Warner "weird and cringey" earlier this year for defending her husband in the media.

Warner responded by scoring a masterful 164 in the first innings against Pakistan on Thursday as Johnson watched on from the Triple M commentary box. It was first reported that Johnson wouldn't be used by Triple M for the Test, but he took his place in the box after all.

Warner signalled his thoughts with a big "shushing" gesture directed at the media boxes after bringing up his ton. In brutal scenes, Channel 7 cameras crossed to Johnson in the Triple M box on numerous occasions throughout Warner's brilliant innings.

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Speaking before the match, Warner rejected the notion that he'd ever demanded a farewell at the SCG, saying he simply stated that it would be ideal to bow out of Test cricket in front of his home fans. “For me, leading into the World Test championship it was about how many Tests I was going to play," he said. "Look back, if people read my comments, my ideal scenario would be to finish in Australia. But you’ve still got to score runs, you’ve still got to perform. Lord’s was going to be my last Test if I wasn’t scoring runs in England.

“But we managed to keep winning and keep going well, so the selectors kept the faith in me and in the team. Moving forward from there, it’s one of those things where you’ve got to perform. I want to keep the media focused about the team and the Ashes and the World Test Championship. I was sick of it all being about me. It’s not about me at all, it’s about the team. If we’re winning and we’re succeeding and I’m doing my job, so be it.”

Former Australia captain Justin Langer was among the many to express his opinion that Johnson's attack on Warner had been too personal. "I hate it when men from the rare club of playing cricket for the Australia air any of their grievances publicly,” he wrote in his own column for the West Australian.

“I believe in a simple ethos of, ‘praise in public, criticise in private.’ In other words, if you want to say something publicly, be positive and use the opportunity to praise the person you are talking about. In contrast, if you want to criticise someone, look them in the eye and tell them how you are feeling."

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