- Nathan Lyon is comfortable with bumping into Mitchell Johnson this week
- Johnson has been particularly scathing of David Warner and George Bailey
- But Lyon says he will act cordially with his former teammate if they cross paths
Nathan Lyon will treat Mitchell Johnson cordially if he crosses paths with his former teammate at Optus Stadium this week after the ex-fast bowler let rip at veteran opener David Warner.
Johnson set the cat among the pigeons when he smashed Warner and selector George Bailey over plans for the 37-year-old to receive a farewell party this summer, despite his torrid form at Test level.
The former paceman said Bailey is too close to the playing group and claimed that Warner is undeserving of a hero’s swansong given his role in the sandpaper scandal.
Now, Johnson is likely to cross paths with his former teammates when he takes on commentary duty 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’d say hello to him, I’ve got no dramas, I’d say hello to anyone,’ Lyon said via News Corp.
Nathan Lyon says he will treat Mitchell Johnson cordially if they cross paths
Lyon played with Johnson in the Australian Test team but could be set for an awkward meeting
Johnson was recently scathing of David Warner’s inclusion in the Test team to face Pakistan
‘He was pretty incredible in that 2013-14 Ashes. I’ve got some very fond memories.’
Lyon returns to the Test side for the first time since suffering a serious calf injury which ruled 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’ve had the mentality of trying to rehab this like no one’s ever rehabbed a calf injury before,’ Lyon said.
‘So I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done personally but also with the likes of Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.
‘I feel like we’ve done everything possible along this way to make sure that we’re in a really good spot physically with the numbers but also mentally.
‘So I’m feeling really confident, really happy with where things are at and it’s just about going out there and performing.’
