'Warner and Smith should not be captains'- Mitchell Johnson

image-l845tp6lSteve Smith and David Warner [Image Credit- Twitter]

Former pacer Mitchell Johnson has said that Cricket Australia should refrain from appointment Steve Smith or David Warner as the captain of the ODI team.

The search for Australia's new ODI skipper is on following Aaron Finch's retirement last week.

Several names, including former captain Smith, vice-captain Warner, and current Test captain, Pat Cummins are being floated as possible contenders.

However, Johnson believes that appointing Smith or Warner captain will unnecessarily revive the 'sandpaper scandal' from 2018.



He also added that since both Smith and Warner are approaching the end of their respective careers, they are not long-term options.

Regarding Cummins, the former speedster said that it will be impossible for the Test skipper to manage leadership across all formats.

Here's what Mitchell Johnson told PTI:

"Both Warner and Smith should not be captains. No issue with them being advisors of the team which they already are. I don't see why this needs to be brought up all over again, it brings back the old stuff (the scandal),"

"They are also towards the end of their careers so it should be someone who has got more time in the game," he added.

"Pat Cummins (Test skipper) may not able to do all formats. It might be too much workload for him, but then I look and check who is available.”

Mitchell Johnson names his  Australian ODI captaincy candidates

Recently, Cummins and Smith were asked about the ODI leadership role.

And, the duo echoed the same views as Johnson, with Smith cheekily suggesting that he might be the next to retire.

As far as Warner is concerned, the southpaw was banned for life from taking leadership roles by Cricket Australia following the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

However, reports in Australian media have suggested that Warner's BBL franchise Sydney Thunder will approach CA to request them to lift the ban.



As for potential candidates for the one-day captaincy, Johnson picked Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Travis Head as his favorites.

"The selectors have someone in mind may be Glenn Maxwell. Cameron Green would also be a good choice if you are looking the future but there is already a heavy workload for him as an all-rounder. Travis Head is there but he needs to be more consistent,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Aaron Finch-led T20 team will lock horns with India in a three-match series, starting in Mohali from September 20.

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