Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson has set tongues wagging with his scathing remarks about former teammate David Warner.

In a recent column, Johnson questioned Warner's eligibility for a farewell Test match, citing his poor performance on the field.

Here's everything you need to know about this explosive clash...

Johnson's Critical Comments

Johnson didn't hold back in his Sunday column for The West Australian, stating, "It's been five years and David Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal.

"Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country. As we prepare for David Warner's farewell series, can somebody please tell me why?

"Why does a struggling Test opener get to choose his own retirement date? And why does a player involved in one of the biggest scandals in Australian cricket history deserve a hero's send-off?

"Warner certainly isn't Australia's Test captain and never deserved to be. In fact, he ends his career under a lifetime leadership ban. Yes, he has a decent overall record and some say he is one of our greatest opening batsmen. But his performance in Test cricket over the past three years has been ordinary, with a batting average closer to that of a tailender.

"Although he made a double century against South Africa at the MCG last summer, those were the only runs he had scored in years. In his previous 17 Test innings leading up to this year's Ashes series, he had only reached 50 once."

Johnson also emphasized the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018, remarking, "It's the ball-tampering disgrace in South Africa that many will never forget.

"Although Warner wasn't alone in Sandpapergate, he was a senior member of the team at the time and someone who liked to use his perceived power as a 'leader'.

"Does this really warrant a swansong, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team?"

Warner's Manager Hits Back

Responding to Johnson's criticism, Warner's manager, Erskine, defended the player's position.

Erskine stated, "If there was somebody sitting on the sidelines who was an absolute automatic replacement, bring them on. David would say, 'Be my guest, I'll give you batting tips.' But the fact of the matter is, there isn't.

"I'm guessing, but I won't be far off, when I say that between Marcus Harris, Renshaw, and Bancroft, they've probably got a total of 1500 runs. Collectively, they have averages in the mid-20s.

"David Warner has played 109 Test matches and has an average of 44.4, with over 8500 Test runs.

"If anyone listening thought that David Warner wanted to play Test cricket for Australia if he didn't think he was up for it, they're wrong... he doesn't want a swansong, he thinks he's the best for the job.

"If he goes and gets two ducks in the first two Tests, then they'll drop him. But he won't."