Shane Watson stuck Mitchell Johnson's head in a toilet, reveals the paceman

Former Australia pace-bowler Mitchell Johnson has revealed that his long-standing friendship with all-rounder Shane Watson got off to a bad start after Watson stuck his head in a toilet during a wrestling game at the Cricket Academy in Adelaide.

The incident took place in 2000 in the academy, which was headed by Rod Marsh with legends like Ian Chappell and Dennis Lillee coming to talk to the upcoming players.

According to Johnson, the players would watch the Australian soap Neighbours together and during commercial breaks they would indulge in bouts of wrestling.

"Every night we'd pile into the common room and watch neighbours before dinner. I was always a bit willing as every time there was an ad break there would be an all-in wrestle on the floor until the show started again. In one wrestle I was dragged through the door and into the bathroom by a heap of guys and somebody pushed my head into the toilet. I wasn't impressed and the red mist descended. Somehow I managed to break free and I grabbed whoever it was by the front of the shirt as I got up and someone grabbed mine", Johnson said in his autobiography Resilient.

"I raised my right fist and he did the same. Then we looked at each other. It was Watto. I think we both looked at each other and thought, nah, I'm not going to hit him, he's my mate and put our fists down at the same time. I can't say I wasn't angry. It took me a few days to get over it."

The duo went on to become great friends during their careers. In 2013 the then Australian coach suspended four players including Johnson during the team's tour of India in what was called as 'homework gate.' According to Johnson, Arthur was not happy that the fast-bowler was spending too much time with Watson which was one of the reasons for him being suspended.