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11 months ago
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Fast-bowling great Mitchell Johnson believes Aussie selectors should use the upcoming Test series against Pakistan to make 'dramatic change' to the aging squad.
Last week in an explosive newspaper column, Johnson claimed David Warner did not deserve a 'hero's farewell' this summer given his involvement in the notorious Sandpapergate cheating scandal in 2018.
Warner, 37, is set to retire after the series - but Johnson believes he shouldn't be the only one preparing to move on.
In his latest column for The West Australian, Mitchell points out that eight players of the expected Australian team are aged 32 or older.
Warner's opener partner Usman Khawaja is 36, while skipper Steve Smith is 34. Nathan Lyon is 35, while Mitchell Starc 33.
Johnson believes Aussie selectors should use the Test series against Pakistan to make 'dramatic change' to side
Johnson pointed out that eight players of the expected Aussie team are aged 32 or older
'Spots are up for grabs as the Australian Test team prepares to enter a period of dramatic change, with eight of the likely XI to face Pakistan in the first Test at Optus Stadium this week aged 32 or older,' Johnson wrote.
'At 29, Marnus Labuschagne is the youngest player in the expected line-up.
'It's funny remembering back to when I was injured at 30 and trying to get myself back into the team.
'I was hearing plenty of noise that 30 was too old as a fast bowler and that it was an age when you have peaked or are starting to slide out of your best form.
'It's the building of the future that Australia must be looking at.'
The former quick called for selectors to unleash 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 struggled in Australia for a decent period of 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 would be no better place for the young tearaway to steam in for his Test debut.'
Steve Smith, 34, has given no indication of his plans for retirement
Khawaja, 36, says he is still enjoying cricket and has given no dates of when he may retire
Earlier this week, Steve Smith's manager rubbished ideas the skipper could retire after recent rumours cropped up.
'I can debunk that at this point in time,' Warren Craig told The Sydney Morning Herald. 'He's still talking about things he wants to achieve.'
Both Khawaja and Lyon have also indicated that they also plan to play on until further notice.
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