Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has come under fire from former Australia quick Mitchell Johnson for putting the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of his country’s responsibilities. When Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the June 3 final, Hazlewood played a crucial part in the team’s first IPL victory. With 22 wickets from 12 games at an average of 17.55 in the 10-team league, the right-arm bowler finished as the tournament’s equal second-highest wicket-taker.
Despite injury worries, the 34-year-old returned to the RCB squad for the last stretch of the IPL. Mitchell Johnson, who questioned him for not concentrating on Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) final preparations, which they lost to South Africa by five wickets, has not taken well to the decision. Hazlewood just took one wicket per innings, which was a lacklustre performance.
“We’ve seen concerns about Hazlewood’s fitness in recent years, and his decision to prioritise returning to the delayed Indian Premier League over his national team preparations raised eyebrows,” Mitchell Johnson wrote in a piece for the West Australian.
It is imperative that we look forward to the future and develop confidence when choosing our upcoming Test players: Mitchell Johnson
Additionally, Johnson feels that the selectors should begin preparing players for the future and that Australia’s legendary bowling attack—which includes Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon—should not be taken for granted.
“We also can’t assume that our successful ‘big four’ bowling attack—Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon—will be a lock moving forward. It does raise the question of whether that is the proper mentality if older players are staying for the Ashes as a farewell. When choosing our next Test players, it’s imperative that we look to the future and develop confidence,” Mitchell Johnson continued.
Starting on Wednesday, January 25, Australia will play the West Indies in a three-match Test series in the Caribbean. The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, will host the opening Test match.
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