Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson has criticized the Pat Cummins-led team for their performance in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa. Johnson stated that Josh Hazlewood prioritized the IPL over the national cricket team and urged selectors not to pick the bowling big four.
Josh Hazlewood took just two wickets during the five-wicket loss against South Africa. He decided to rejoin the IPL shortly after recovering from a side strain. Hazlewood returned to action a few days after the league resumed and helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secure their first-ever IPL title.
Mitchell Johnson questioned the performance of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon. Johnson added that the bowling big four should no longer be considered automatic selections.
“Our successful ‘big four’ bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon can’t be taken for granted as a lock going forward either," Johnson wrote in The West Australian.
“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. Lyon didn’t look his best on day three either," he added.
The IPL 2025, originally set to run from March 22 to May 25, was unexpectedly extended to June 3 after a one-week suspension. This rescheduling posed challenges for players from South Africa and Australia, as the World Test Championship final was scheduled for June 11.
While many cricketers exited the IPL after the league stage, Mitchell Starc declined to return. Josh Hazlewood played in the final for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3. The right-arm pacer then flew to London to join the Australian squad, leaving him with limited preparation time for the WTC final.
It’s Crucial That We Embrace the Future - Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson raised concerns over Australia’s ageing squad, noting that many players are over 30. He questioned whether this was the right mindset and called for a shift in focus towards the future. Johnson urged selectors to invest in players like Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, and Scott Boland.
“If veteran players are sticking around just for the Ashes as a send-off, it does beg the question of whether that’s the right mindset. It’s crucial that we embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players. Players on the fringe such as Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis and Scott Boland, despite being 36, have a different mentality. They’re eager to prove themselves every time they get a chance," Johnson added.
Cameron Green Might Not Be Suited for That Position - Mitchell Johnson
Johnson also stated that Cameron Green at No. 3 and Marnus Labuschagne as an opener are not sustainable options. He also compared Labuschagne’s ongoing poor form to Steve Smith’s promotion to opener during his own rough patch.
“It’s obvious Green didn’t perform well – out for 4 and 0 and facing just five balls for the match. And the way he got out to Kagiso Rabada in both innings highlights that he might not be suited for that position. But the real issue stems from Marnus Labuschagne’s poor form, similar to what we saw with Steve Smith moving up to open when he was struggling a bit."
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