The aftermath of Australia's defeat to South Africa in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final continues to reverberate, with former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson leading the charge of criticism against Josh Hazlewood. Johnson has openly questioned Hazlewood's commitment to the national team, pointing to his decision to participate in the delayed 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season as a potential distraction that contributed to his underwhelming performance in the WTC final.
Hazlewood, a mainstay of Australia's bowling attack, managed to pick up just two wickets in the entire WTC final, a stark contrast to his stellar IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he took 22 wickets and helped them secure their maiden title. This disparity in performance has led Johnson and others to suggest that Hazlewood's priorities may have been misplaced.
Johnson, writing in his column for The West Australian, didn't mince words. He stated that Hazlewood's decision to return to the IPL after it was temporarily suspended due to geopolitical tensions "raised eyebrows," especially given concerns about his fitness in recent years. He implied that Hazlewood's preparation for the crucial WTC final was compromised by his IPL stint.
The timing of Hazlewood's return to the IPL is critical to the argument. The IPL 2025 season concluded on June 3rd, while the WTC final commenced just eight days later, on June 11th. This left Hazlewood with a very limited window to transition from the high-intensity, fast-paced T20 format to the more grueling demands of Test cricket.
Johnson further expressed concerns about the future of Australia's "big four" bowling attack, comprising Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon. He suggested that their positions should no longer be considered guaranteed and that opportunities should be given to younger players who are eager to prove themselves. He specifically mentioned players like Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, and Scott Boland, who he believes deserve a fair chance to represent their country.
While Hazlewood hasn't publicly responded to Johnson's criticism, RCB's mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik had previously stated that Hazlewood was mindful of the WTC final during the IPL and had been increasing his workload in practice sessions, even bowling with the red ball in the nets. However, Johnson appears unconvinced, arguing that the rigors of the IPL, coupled with the limited preparation time, inevitably impacted Hazlewood's performance in the WTC final.
Despite the criticism, it's important to acknowledge Hazlewood's contributions to Australian cricket over the years. He has been a key figure in numerous victories, including the 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups, as well as previous T20 and WTC title wins. His accuracy, sharp bouncers, and consistent performances have made him a vital asset to the team. Notably, Josh Hazlewood had a record of winning nine out of nine major finals before this WTC final 2025.
The debate surrounding Hazlewood's participation in the IPL highlights the complex challenges faced by modern cricketers, who are often forced to balance lucrative T20 league commitments with their international duties. As cricket continues to evolve, these issues are likely to become even more prevalent, requiring careful consideration from players and administrators alike.
