David Warner finds unlikely ally after Mitchell Johnson lashing, with former Ashes rival launching an impassioned defence of the Aussie opener: ‘I think he’s a legend of the game’

Once bitter Ashes rivals, England legend Michael Vaughan has moved on to work for David Warner following the beating he received from former team-mate Mitchell Johnson.

Warner has become the talk of the Aussie summer, with the decorated opening batsman signaling his intention to retire from Test cricket after the New Year's match against Pakistan at the SCG.

That prompted a fiery spray from Johnson in his column for The West, where the former pace bowling burner slammed Warner for choosing his own retirement date.

Johnson questioned Warner's continued selection of the batsman and also slammed chief selector George Bailey for sticking with the opener despite poor returns in recent years.

Warner broke his silence on Johnson's column on Friday and laughed off the controversy

Michael Vaughan had many classic battles with Australia but has defended Warner

Johnson went on a volcanic rant against his former teammate Warner in his column for The West

Warner broke his silence on the column at the Kayo launch of the cricket summer on Friday.

“It wouldn't be a summer of cricket without a headline,” laughed Warner.

'It is what it is. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But in the future we look forward to a nice test in the west.

And he found an unlikely ally in Vaughan, who is in Australia in his commentary role ahead of the Test series against Pakistan.

“First of all, I don't think David Warner said he's playing. He says he is available for selection. So it's up to the selectors to pick him,” Vaughan told News Corp.

Warner plundered plenty of runs at the World Cup and is looking forward to a big summer

“I think we all know he's going to play three games in Australia on these wickets, like I saw him play in the World Cup. I pretty much guarantee he'll score runs and he'll go out with a bang.” Vaughan continued.

“He has such a strong mentality. I think he is a legend of the game.

“As a legend, are you entitled to six months' farewell? Well, he wasn't actually asked to do that. He has just announced his retirement (date) and hopes to play in that Test match in Sydney.

“There aren't many players who get the fairytale ending, but you would say that if David Warner gets that final Test, and I would back him for that, he has earned the right to get that fairytale send-off on his home ground. .'

Johnson said Warner doesn't deserve a 'Hero's farewell' after his role in Sandpapergate

Vaughan, who was a classy batsman in his own right, said Warner had already been severely punished for the events in Cape Town

Warner is hoping for a chance to hold one final Test at his home base in Sydney

Johnson pulled no punches in his column, writing that Warner did not deserve a 'Hero's Farewell' after his role in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, which saw the former Test vice-captain banned for 12 months.

Vaughan said it was “completely unfair” to continue to tarnish Warner's record over that incident, saying he had more than paid the price for his role in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

“I said when it happened that a 12-month ban for both him and Steve Smith was just far too extreme,” Vaughan said.

“The crime was not worth the punishment that came with it.

“I think David Warner is a great player in the game. Because of what happened and because Dave has had some controversy in his career, I think there are people who don't want to give him that mantle and don't want to talk about him in that light.

'But you only have to look at his record. His record at World Cups.

“I think the one area of ​​his batting where you would say he is vulnerable is Stuart Broad around the wicket with the Duke ball.

“Otherwise he's been dominated pretty much his entire career and is great to watch.”