TV
Josh Hazelwood has been criticised for his act after Australia failed to defend the WTC crown at the Lord's, losing by five wickets against Australia.
Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson slammed Hazelwood's decision to return to the delayed 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and skipping his preparations for the World Test Championship final against the Proteas.
"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," wrote Johnson in a column.
Johnson also called for strict action, indicating that the Australian selectors should contemplate on the selection of such players.
"It's essential to consider when the right time is to make some tough calls. The upcoming three-Test Windies tour seems like an excellent opportunity to give deserving players a chance to shine," wrote Johnson.
"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," he added.
