'In Every Sporting Team, Not Everybody Gets On': Michael Clarke Shares Views on Mitchell Johnson's Scathing Attack on David Warner

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has shared his views on Mitchell Johnson’s explosive rant on David Warner warranting a farewell Test for himself in the upcoming series against Pakistan. Warner has not been in the best of forms when it comes to red-ball cricket in recent times but has been included in Australia’s squad for the first Test against Pakistan in Perth. Warner on a couple of occasions has expressed his desire to sign off from Test cricket after the Australia series.

Johnson made some scathing remarks on Warner for getting picked in the squad. In his column for The West Australian, the former paceman lashed out at Warner for his poor form in Test cricket and still warranting a farewell match. He also pointed out Warner’s involvement in the infamous sandpaper gate controversy and questioned and how such a player could demand a hero send-off.

Clarke shared his opinion and suggested everybody doesn’t need to get on with each other in every sporting team as sometimes two players play together and give their best on the field but they are not friends outside the field.

“In every sporting team, not everybody gets on. Not everyone is best friends. Dave is a strong character, Mitch is a strong character, (they) went hard at each other in the nets,” Clarke told Big Sports Breakfast Show.

Clarke asserted that he had no idea whether Johnson and Warner had something against each other.

“I saw that but I couldn’t sit here and say they had beef against one another when we played. Yeah, maybe I’ve missed something here Mitch hasn’t played for years now so maybe there is beef, I don’t know,” he added.

However, the 2015 World Cup-winning skipper said that when you are sharing your opinions you should not make it personal.

“When you’re in a role like this if you have an opinion and it’s based on what’s best for the team, or your experience, then go with that. But it should never be personal. I try not to make it personal and if it comes across that way you try and apologise for that because you don’t want that,” he added.