‘There's a lot of hypocrisy. It’s blown me away': Australia legend Mitchell Johnson forced to quit as commentator
Mitchell Johnson, who has close to 600 wickets for Australia across different formats, was completely 'blown away' by the developments. The former Western Australia cricketer called the decision 'hypocrisy'.
Mitchell Johnson, former Australia fast bowler, has reportedly been forced to quit as a radio commentator by ABC. Johnson, who was supposed to do radio commentary in Australia's upcoming Zimbabwe and New Zealand home series, was asked to stand down from his role as ABC found the former left-arm pacer's association with a betting agency to be in violation of their terms and conditions. According to the Australian media, ABC cited conflict of interest to end Johnson's radio commentary gig abruptly.
Johnson, who has close to 600 wickets for Australia across different formats, was completely 'blown away' by the developments. The former Western Australia cricketer called the decision 'hypocrisy'.
“I have really enjoyed working with the ABC team over recent seasons and was looking forward to doing it again,” Johnson told the ABC. "There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy that goes with this rule. I don’t understand and you start to wonder about what you can and can’t say if you are calling for them.
“It’s blown me away a little bit: do we have to make sure we have to align with the ABC’s moral compass? There’s nothing I can do about it … that’s the rule and I guess I’m not going to work with them," he added.
Johnson's contract with betting agency Bet Nation is slated to end in November this year but ABC were not ready to wait till then.
The left-arm seamer is now in touch with Triple M and is considering an option to join the commercial network’s cricket coverage this summer, the report said.
ABC has lost two big names from his expert panel before the start of Australia's home season that will. Former Australia captain Ian Chappell had decided to draw curtains to his 45-year-long broadcasting career last week.