After Australia’s defeat in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, former Aussie pacer Mitchell Johnson strongly criticised star bowler Josh Hazlewood. Johnson expressed surprise that Hazlewood chose to prioritise the Indian Premier League (IPL) over preparing for the WTC Final.
Hazlewood had a brilliant IPL season for the title-winning RCB, taking 22 wickets and claiming the crucial wicket of Priyansh Arya in the final. He rejoined the national team after the IPL break, while some Australian players had refused to return to India. However, in the WTC Final, Hazlewood managed to take only two wickets, and Australia suffered a five-wicket loss to South Africa.
What Johnson Said
Johnson remarked, “Hazlewood’s fitness has been under scrutiny for years, and returning to the IPL affected his preparation for national duty. The mindset of senior players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Hazlewood needs to be questioned. If they’re only in the team for the Ashes, that’s not the right approach. It’s important to give opportunities to upcoming players.”
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Backing the Next Generation
Johnson advocated for including players like Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, and Scott Boland in the team. He said these players are always ready to prove themselves, and regardless of age, deserving talent should get opportunities. With Australia’s next tour to the West Indies, Johnson believes it’s the right time to introduce fresh talent and make changes.
He further stated that Konstas could perform well on West Indian pitches, especially if experienced players like Usman Khawaja support him.
