'To Ask if I'm Okay Because I've Had Mental Health Issues is Disgusting': Mitchell Johnson Slams George Bailey

Mitchell Johnson has termed Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey’s response to his column as ‘disgusting’.

In a column for The West Australian, Johnson had taken aim at Bailey while questioning why David Warner is being afforded a hero’s farewell despite his below-par form in red-ball cricket and the role he played in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

Warner has been included in Australia’s squad for the upcoming home series against Pakistan after stating earlier this year that he wishes to retire from Test cricket in January next year.

Speaking on the podcast The Mitchell Johnson Cricket Show, the former Australia fast bowler said his comments came after Bailey sent him a message in response to his column where he asked why Lance Morris pulled out from a Sheffield Shield game ahead of the upcoming Tests at home.

“He had sent me a message after the Lance Morris article that I wrote,” Johnson said. “It was just a little bit condescending. When you receive it at all hours of the morning, it was pretty disappointing.”

Bailey, while responding to Johnson’s remarks in his column on him being too close to the players, had said, “I’ve been sent little snippets of it. I hope he’s okay.”

Johnson, 42, has termed Bailey’s response as a dig at his mental health issues.

“To ask if I’m okay because I’ve had mental health issues is pretty much downplaying my article and putting it on mental health, which is quite disgusting, I think,” Johnson said.

“It’s basically having a dig at someone’s mental health and saying that I must have something going on, a mental health issue has made me say what I have said. That’s not the truth. That’s completely the opposite. I’m actually clear-minded. I’m okay. I want to make sure everyone knows that I’m okay and I’m actually in a good headspace.

“I’m not angry, I’m not jealous. I’m just writing a piece that I felt like I needed to write. I probably was set off by getting a message from him at all hours of the morning and not having the respect to make a phone call. I wouldn’t say I was hurt by the messages. I was disappointed and it was unexpected. It probably just threw me off a bit,” he added.