Mitch Johnson Slams Australia, Says Pacer 'Prioritised IPL Over National Team'
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Mitchell Johnson took aim at Josh Hazlewood for 'prioritising IPL over Australia' and asked the selectors to not see the bowling big-four as a 'lock' going forward.
Australian legend Mitchell Johnson, in a scathing assessment of the team's World Test Championship (WTC) loss to South Africa, has said that the bowling 'big four' of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon should no longer be seen as a 'lock', asking the selectors to consider changing things.
He put particular focus on Hazlewood, who could only manage two wickets in the five-wicket defeat. Johnson accused the pacer of 'prioritising' featuring in the IPL over 'national team preparations' when the league resumed after a week-long break. Hazlewood was carrying a side strain and returned a few days after the season resumed, before eventually leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden title.
'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.
Australia had a look of a peaking side in the competition, with most players over 30 years of age. After the match, skipper Cummins also hinted at a possible reset.
But Johnson wondered whether the seniors were 'sticking around' for the Ashes in the summer to get a 'send-off', and urged for chances to hungrier fringe players.
'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.
Johnson also said that neither Cameron Green at number three nor Marnus Labuschagne as the opener are long-term solutions for Australia.
'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. I'm just not a fan of these batting reshuffles to cover for lack of form. With the West Indies tour and then the Ashes coming up this summer, Australia will need to settle on not only two openers but also find a reliable No.3," he added.
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