Josh Hazlewood Faces Criticism After WTC Final Loss Amid Injury Concerns

Hazlewood Under Fire Following WTC Final Defeat

In the aftermath of Australia's loss to South Africa by five wickets in the World Test Championship final, blame games have emerged, particularly targeting star pacer Josh Hazlewood. Former Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson criticized Hazlewood for prioritizing participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over preparing for the national team during this crucial period.

Hazlewood has been plagued by injuries, which kept him sidelined for much of the Border-Gavaskar Series, allowing Scott Boland to take his place. In his column for a local publication, Johnson expressed concerns about Hazlewood's fitness, stating,

"Concerns regarding Hazlewood's fitness have been evident in recent years, and his choice to focus on the delayed IPL instead of national team preparations raised eyebrows."

Hazlewood played a pivotal role for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, contributing to their first trophy win in 18 years. He recorded 22 wickets, achieving his best performance in the IPL, with an economy rate of 8.77 and an average of 17.54 across 12 matches.

Johnson Questions Future of Australia's Bowling Lineup

Johnson Suggests Retirement of Key Players

The Australian bowling lineup, featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon, is highly regarded in the Test arena. However, Johnson hinted at the need for a transition, suggesting that waiting for the Ashes may not be wise. He remarked,

"Our successful bowling quartet cannot be taken for granted moving forward. If veteran players are only sticking around for the Ashes, it raises questions about the right mindset. We must embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players."

He further added,

"Players like Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, and even Scott Boland, despite being 36, have a different mentality. They are eager to prove themselves whenever given the opportunity."

Johnson emphasized the importance of nurturing younger talent, stating,

"It's crucial to consider when to make tough decisions regarding our aging team, which has accomplished much together. We need to evaluate the right time to introduce new players into the mix."