Mitchell Johnson warns Australian selectors: rethink players prioritizing IPL over national duty

Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has openly criticized Josh Hazlewood for prioritizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over national duty, particularly in the lead-up to the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa.

Johnson expressed his disappointment in a column for the West Australian, highlighting that Hazlewood's decision to return to the postponed 2025 IPL season negatively affected his preparation and performance. Hazlewood managed to take only two wickets in the WTC final, a figure Johnson linked directly to the player's IPL focus.

"We've seen concerns about Hazlewood's fitness in recent years," Johnson wrote, emphasizing that the choice to prioritize the IPL over representing Australia raised serious questions about player commitment.

Johnson urged Australian selectors to reconsider their approach when selecting players who place franchise cricket above national duty. He called for stringent measures to ensure that players who prioritize IPL commitments do not compromise the national team's interests.

This criticism comes amid ongoing debates about the impact of lucrative franchise leagues on international cricket, with Johnson's comments adding weight to calls for stronger national allegiance among Australian cricketers.

The former pacer’s stance underscores the tension between franchise cricket's financial allure and the traditional pride of representing one's country, a balance selectors must now navigate carefully.

Key quote: "Australian selectors have to think carefully before choosing such individuals."

Stat: Hazlewood took only two wickets in the WTC final, a performance Johnson attributed to his IPL focus.

Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson criticized Josh Hazlewood for prioritizing the Indian Premier League over national duty, urging selectors to reconsider players who choose IPL commitments over representing Australia. Johnson linked Hazlewood's IPL focus to his underwhelming performance in the World Test Championship final against South Africa.