Cape Town - Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith and ex-Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson have exchanged ‘blows’ on Twitter.
It followed after South Africa clinched the Test series Down Under in Hobart on Tuesday when they thumped Australia by an innings and 80 runs.
According to the cricket.com.au website, Johnson posted a tweet in response to what he called "comments" from Smith and South African journalist Neil Manthorp, suggesting the Australians players "remember the big moments", with a montage image highlighting the Proteas' infamous run of World Cup failures.
Australia have coped it and yes they aren't performing but when comments come from SA @NeilManthorp @GraemeSmith49 remember the big moments! pic.twitter.com/GY8lEyB5De
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 13, 2016
Smith recently also made headlines when said there was “a lack of confidence or self-belief” in the Australia set-up.
Johnson was a regular menace to Smith in his Test career, breaking his hand twice and having his measure in the South African’s final Test series, removing him four out of six times as Australia claimed a 2-1 triumph.
Smith hit back after the Proteas’ triumph in Hobart, mentioning the margin of South Africa's win and enquiring about the sales of Johnson's recently-released book, Resilience.
Woke up at 3:30 am SA time and the highlights were already on @MitchJohnson398 ?? hope the book sales are going well? @NeilManthorp
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) November 15, 2016
Johnson this time had no witty response:
@GraemeSmith49 @NeilManthorp yep ?? not much I can say to that ??
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 15, 2016
The conversation was not hostile however, as Smith retweeted a later tweet by Manthorp which indicated that Johnson was a classy fast bowler:
Johnson and Smith met in five Test series' through their careers, with honours even at 2-2.You'll always be one of the greatest, Mitch. And thank goodness you still care so much. :) https://t.co/jJhzXNxeWc
— Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) November 15, 2016