David Warner’s ex-teammate BACKS Mitchell Johnson’s stunning attack on retiring batter and gives him a vicious nickname

Former Test batsman Ed Cowan says most people agree with Mitchell Johnson's fiery comments about David Warner, describing his former opening partner as 'a walking wicket' ahead of the upcoming series against Pakistan starting on Thursday.

Johnson took aim at his ex-teammate in an explosive column that questioned the veteran opener's place in the team and attacked him for his role in South Africa's 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

The former pacer was widely criticized for his comments but received some support from Cowan, who made his Test debut alongside Warner at the top of the order against India 12 years ago.

“Mitch Johnson says what 90 per cent of the people in the pub are thinking,” Cowan said on The Grandstand Cricket Podcast.

“What I didn't like – I feel like he would have made a more relevant argument – ​​was the tone. There was a sense of anger or injustice in it.

Johnson's column mocking Warner (pictured playing together for Australia) has dominated the headlines leading up to the first Test against Pakistan

“But the actual points around the selection, statistically speaking, David Warner probably shouldn't be in the top XI, I think most people would agree with that.”

Warner's form has been an ongoing problem, with the 37-year-old reaching 50 just twice in his past 16 Test innings, although he still needs just 157 runs to become Australia's fifth top scorer in Tests.

The left-hander has indicated that the SCG Test starting on January 3 will be his last test for Australia, with Johnson unhappy that a man struggling for runs should be given the opportunity to dictate his own retirement.

Warner's teammates have staunchly defended him in recent days ahead of Thursday's first Test in Perth, with the selectors at the top of the order faced with a major headache when they have to replace the veteran for next month's series against the West Indies.

Cam Bancroft, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris have all been mentioned as possible replacements, while there have been calls for Travis Head or Marnus Labuschagne to open the batting, which could see Cameron Green brought back into the team.

“Personally, I still think the best person for the job is Marnus or Travis Head,” Cowan said.

Johnson blasted Warner for thinking he was special enough to choose his own retirement date, despite being one of the architects of the Sandpapergate fraud scandal

Warner's form has been an ongoing problem as he has reached 50 just twice in his last 16 Tests

“It allows you to pick your best six hitters, with Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh in the team batting at five and six, and it reshapes the team.

'I don't think Travis Head would be too keen on that, but what it does allow is Steve Smith batting at three, Travis at four and then your two all-rounders.

'Now that Marnus opens the batting, he will walk away with one for nothing anyway. David Warner has been a walking wicket for two years now.

“At least he knows when he's going to hit, he can prepare and go out and hit. It's not a big step to go from hitting at three to opening the batter.”