'Pick Up The Phone & Sort It Out', AB De Villiers On Johnson-Warner Spat
David Warner with Mitchell Johnson [X.com]
AB de Villiers wondered if it's a case of deep scars from historical arguments and rifts that have paved the way for the ongoing controversial spat between Mitchell Johnson and David Warner.
The Proteas legend raised speculations about the squabble among the two former Australian teammates going back to their playing days together and said it could be that the dents of the past have resurfaced now.
Johnson's assertion that Warner still did not own his role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal and questioning his rights to a farewell Test series against Pakistan triggered the controversy. The ex-speedster even raised doubts about chief selector George Bailey's integrity in continuing to select Warner despite a major Test match slump.
While Warner publicly dead-batted the matter, stating Johnson is entitled to his views, the latter revealed that the former had sent him objectionable messages as a form to get back his own in the tussle.
De Villiers Opens Up On Johnson-Warner Feud
Bailey had gone to the extent of questioning if Johnson is mentally alright while several prominent names in Australian cricket have since told the two players to sort the matter out, including legendary former skipper Ricky Ponting, who said he would be keen to play the mediator.
De Villiers backed Ponting's word on the controversy and, while interested in what began the entire feud, urged the two players to enter a discussion and let cricket be the focus of attention ahead of the looming Australian home summer.
"I just don't like this public conversation between the two of them. Just pick up the phone and sort it out. Ask the guy let's go out for a cold drink and sort the issues out. I feel there are some scars from the dressing room but don't let the world get in on this," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
"They have played a lot of cricket together and have shared the dressing room a lot. So maybe that's where it started. Maybe Mitchell Johnson felt that 'You're a part of a World Cup winning squad and now this send-off. You're getting away with a lot that needs to be talked about.' I feel there's a lot still left to come out," he added.
 "Kashish Chadha")
