Cricket firebrand Mitchell Johnson calls for ‘dramatic change’ to Australian Test team with truth bomb

Fast-bowling great Mitchell Johnson believes Aussie selectors should use the upcoming Test series against Pakistan to make 'dramatic change' in the aging squad.

Last week, Johnson claimed in an explosive newspaper column that David Warner did not deserve a “hero's send-off” this summer, given his involvement in the infamous Sandpapergate fraud scandal in 2018.

Warner, 37, will retire after the series, but Johnson believes he shouldn't be the only one preparing to move on.

In his latest column for The Western AustraliaMitchell points out that eight players in the expected Australian team are 32 years or older.

Warner's opener partner Usman Khawaja is 36, while skipper Steve Smith is 34. Nathan Lyon is 35, while Mitchell Starc is 33.

Johnson believes Australian selectors should use Test series against Pakistan to get 'dramatic change' to side

Johnson pointed out that eight players in the expected Australian team are 32 years or older

“Spots are up for grabs as the Australian Test squad prepares for a period of dramatic change, with eight of the likely 11 set to face Pakistan in the first Test at Optus Stadium this week being aged 32 or over,” Johnson wrote .

'Marnus Labuschagne is the youngest player in the expected line-up at 29 years old.

“It's funny to think back to when I got injured at 30 and tried to get myself back into the team.

'I heard a lot of talk that 30 was too old to be a fast bowler and that it was an age when you have reached a peak or started to slip out of your best form.

“It's the building of the future that Australia needs to look at.”

The former quick called on selectors to release fast bowler 'wild thing' Lance Morris this week.

“This summer is a great opportunity to blood some young or performing players, especially when it's against two teams in Pakistan and the West Indies who have been struggling in Australia for quite some time,” Johnson wrote.

“Fast bowler Lance Morris, 25, should be the first of those. With Perth likely to present a fast and bouncy pitch, there could be no better place for the youngster to steam in for his Test debut.”

Steve Smith, 34, has given no indication of his retirement plans

Khawaja, 36, says he still loves cricket and has not given any dates on when he will retire

Earlier this week, Steve Smith's manager dismissed ideas that the skipper could retire after recent rumors surfaced.

“I can debunk that at this point,” Warren Craig told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He still talks about things he wants to achieve.”

Both Khawaja and Lyon have also indicated that they will continue playing until further notice.