Australia, the defending champions of ICC World Test ChampionshipAlso had the chance to defend its title in the WTC 2025 final. However, South Africa overshadowed Australian domination to win its first ICC title after 27 years.
This attracted the attention of several former world -class cricket players, the most important of them being the former Australian Speedster Mitchell Johnson.
A low bowling performance of the Australian bowling bridge, especially in the fourth in the match, made Australia lose the match.
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The old Aussie blamed the speedster Josh Hazlewood To prioritize IPL on WTC Final.
Why did Mitchell Johnson criticize Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon?
Mitchell Johnson Openly criticized Josh Hazlewood and suggested that Hazlewood’s late return to IPL marked his lack of concentration and precision on the return with the red ball.
Josh Hazlewood has missed tests since the Border-Gavaskar trophyAnd the WTC final was its return match after the injury.
As Johnson suggested, more training and time sessions for Josh Hazlewood with the red ball would have given him a greater advantage in the WTC final; The latter’s preference for the IPL took it by a surprise.
Some players from South Africa and Australia have not returned to IPL
When tastes Marco Jansen,, Ryan Rickelton And Mitchell Starc Decided to come back early, it was only Josh Hazlewood who played in the IPL until his end. Although the Australians have done a fairly remarkable job in the second round, the bowling South Africa Just for a score of 138, 8 of the 10 counters were shared between Starc and the skipper Pat Cummins.
Mitchell Johnson has identified that the Australian attack should now seek future options, and his comments have aroused a lot of concerns among recent players. Its objective focused mainly on Hazlewood and Nathan LyonThe veteran spinner, both ended with the figures of 34-7-85-2 and 34-78-0, respectively and failed to have the impact desired by the two large ones.
“We have seen concerns about Hazlewood’s physical form in recent years, and its decision to prioritize the return to the Latter -delayed Indian League on its preparations for the national team has raised the eyebrows”, “ Johnson wrote in the Western Australian. “Lyon does not look like the best day on the third day either.
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Hazlewood and Lyon respond firmly to Johnson’s claims
Josh Hazlewood was among the first to respond to the criticisms he was confronted with. With total respect for the legacy of Mitchell Johnson in the game, Hazlewood said that the current Australian bowling range including Cummins, Starc, himself and Nathan Lyon is still looking to evolve according to new game standards.
“I think the criticism is an integral part of playing for Australia. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t think we are still finished,” said Hazlewood.
He also added: “You saw the way we adapted between the conditions and the formats. We still have a lot to offer.”
Nathan Lyon had a much more measured approach by emphasizing the importance of having a balance between young people as well as the experience on the side, in parallel with the light on the internal revision cycles of Australia, which maintains each bowler player, of spinner sewing, on their toes, thus supporting a spirit of competitiveness.
To quote Lyon, “people talk about change, but experience in the bowling group is one of our greatest forces.”
Obviously, from the declarations of the two great modern crickets, Hazlewood and Lyon, they said they are not counting on past success and always seek to evolve in their best.
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