- Former fast bowler launched an extraordinary attack on Warner
- Opening batsman responded with a century vs Pakistan
- Also sent a well worded message to Aaron Finch
Former national captain Aaron Finch has detailed the seven-word text message his former teammate David Warner sent him after he answered Mitchell Johnson's blistering criticism with a century in the first Test against Pakistan.
The ex-fast bowler stunned the cricket world when he produced an extraordinary strike against the star batter ahead of his scheduled retirement in the Sydney Test next month.
Johnson said Warner did not deserve a “hero send-off” after his involvement in the Sandpapergate fraud scandal in 2018.
Warner responded by hitting 164 against Pakistan in Perth – and sending a telling message to Finch.
Warner celebrates reaching his century against Pakistan in the first Test as he sent a message to Mitchell Johnson and his other critics by making a 'shoosh' gesture
The star batsman also responded to the attack on him by sending a telling text message to his former teammate Aaron Finch (pictured)
“Davey, every time he's backed into a corner he does well,” the former one-day captain told the club. Grade Cricketer Podcast.
'I messaged him the other day and he said, 'You'd think after 15 years they would know,' which is so good.'
Warner sent another message to Johnson and his other critics as he made his remarks at Optus Stadium, making a 'hush' gesture after jumping into the air.
“It's just everybody wanting to write stories about me and, you know, if you try to use headlines, you get headlines, that kind of thing doesn't bother me,” he said.
“It's just the fact that I have to go out there, do what I have to do. And I can celebrate how I want.
Warner's wife Candice (pictured together) also fired at Johnson after her husband powered his way to a first-innings score of 164 in Perth
The former pace bowler (pictured) was in Perth commentating on the match for Triple M when Warner answered his criticism in the best way possible
'Mitch is entitled to his opinion. He is a former player.
His wife Candice joined in with a cutting response on social media, posting a “shush” emoji to celebrate the century.
It later emerged that Cricket Australia had banned Johnson from two speaking engagements over fears his comments would spark a backlash from members of the current Test team.
The former left-armer was scheduled to be two guest speakers at Optus Stadium as Australia took on Pakistan.
However, Cricket Australia stopped the Ashes hero as they believed his criticism of David Warner in an explosive column had gone too far. Mike Hussey replaced Johnson in the lunch events.