- Nathan Lyon feels comfortable facing Mitchell Johnson this week
- Johnson was particularly scathing about David Warner and George Bailey
- But Lyon says he will act cordially towards his former teammate if their paths cross
Nathan Lyon will treat Mitchell Johnson warmly when he crosses paths with his former teammate at Optus Stadium this week after the ex-fast bowler let go of veteran opener David Warner.
Johnson put the cat between the pigeons when he blasted Warner and selector George Bailey over plans for the 37-year-old to throw a farewell party this summer despite his torrid form at Test level.
The former paceman said Bailey is too close to the playing group and claimed Warner does not deserve a hero's swan song given his role in the sandpaper scandal.
Now Johnson is likely to encounter his former teammates when he takes on commentary duties for Triple M in Perth for Australia's test match against Pakistan, but Lyon – who played with Johnson during the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash – says he will treat Johnson with respect .
“I would say hello to him, I have no dramas, I would say hello to everyone,” Lyon said via News Corp.
Nathan Lyon says he will treat Mitchell Johnson warmly if their paths cross
Lyon played with Johnson in the Australian test team, but it could be a tricky encounter
Johnson was recently scathing about David Warner's inclusion in the Test team to face Pakistan
“He was quite incredible in the 2013/2014 Ashes. I have very good memories.'
Lyon returns to the Test squad for the first time since suffering a serious calf injury that ruled him out of the remainder of this year's Ashes series.
The veteran spin bowler insists he doesn't have to worry about the calf heading into the summer of cricket.
“I've had the mentality of trying to rehabilitate this like no one has ever rehabilitated a calf injury before,” Lyon said.
“So I'm very proud of the work I've done personally, but also for Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.
“I feel like we've done everything possible this way to make sure we're in a good place physically with the numbers, but also mentally.
“So I'm very confident, very happy with the way things are going and it's just about going out there and performing.”