‘His decision to prioritise IPL over national team raised eyebrows’ - Mitchell Johnson bashes Josh Hazlewood after Australia's WTC final defeat

Former Australia speedster Mitchell Johnson has questioned fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for prioritising the Indian Premier League (IPL) over national duty. Hazlewood had a significant role to play in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL triumph as they beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in the final on June 3. The right-arm pacer finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, bagging 22 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 17.55 in the 10-team competition.

The 34-year-old re-joined the RCB squad for the business end of the IPL despite injury concerns. The decision has not gone down well with Johnson, who questioned him for not focusing on preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, where Australia lost to South Africa by five wickets. Hazlewood had an underwhelming outing, picking up one wicket in each innings.

"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," Johnson wrote in his column in West Australian.

Crucial that we embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players: Johnson

Johnson also believes that Australia's iconic bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon should not be taken for granted, and the selectors must start grooming players for the future.

"Our successful 'big four' bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon can't be taken for granted as a lock going forward either. 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," added Johnson.

Australia's upcoming assignment is a three-match Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, which starts on Wednesday, January 25. The first Test will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.