Nathan Lyon reveals what he will say to Mitchell Johnson if he crosses paths with former team-mate amid brutal war of words with David Warner
- Nathan Lyon is delighted to be facing Mitchell Johnson this week.
- Johnson was particularly harsh in his criticism of David Warner and George Bailey.
- But Lyon says he will be friendly with his former teammate if they cross paths.
Nathan Lyon will be warm to Mitchell Johnson if he faces his former teammate at the Optus Stadium this week after the former fast bowler allowed himself to be pulled away by veteran opener David Warner.
Johnson sent the cat among the pigeons as he blasted Warner and selector George Bailey over the 37-year-old’s plans to throw a farewell party this summer despite his red-hot form at Test level.
The former pacemaker said Bailey was too close to the gaming group and claimed Warner did not deserve a hero’s swan song given his role in the Sandpaper scandal.
Johnson is now likely to cross paths with his former teammates when he takes over commentary duties for Triple M in Perth for Australia’s Test match against Pakistan, but Lyon, who played with Johnson during the Ashes whitewash in 2013-14, says he will treat Johnson with respect.
“I would say hi to him, I have no drama, I would say hi to anyone,” Lyon said via Corporation News.
Nathan Lyon says he’ll be warm to Mitchell Johnson if they cross paths
Lyon played Johnson in the Australian Test team, but he faced an awkward encounter.
Johnson recently criticized the inclusion of David Warner in the Test squad to face Pakistan.
“He was incredible in the 2013/14 Ashes. I have very pleasant memories.”
Lyon returns to the Test team for the first time since a serious calf injury kept him out of the remainder of this year’s Ashes series.
The veteran spin bowler insists he has no concerns about the calf heading into the summer of cricket.
“I had the mentality of trying to rehab it like no one had ever treated a calf injury before,” Lyon said.
“So I’m really proud of the work I’ve done personally and also with the likes of Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.
“I feel like we’ve done everything we can along the way to make sure we’re in a really good position both physically and mentally.
“So I feel very confident, very happy with the way things are and it’s just about getting out there and performing.”