Australia, Defending Champion of the ICC World Test Championships, also got the opportunity to protect their title in WTC Final 2025. Nevertheless, South Africa oversee the Australian dominance to win their first ICC title after 27 years.
This has attracted the attention of many world -class former cricketers, the most of them are Mitchell Johnson, the former Australian speedster.
According to Johnson, a weak bowling performance from the Australian bowling deck, especially in the fourth innings of the game, lost the match.
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Former Australians blamed speedster Josh Hazelwood for prioritizing IPL in the WTC final.
Why did Mitchell Johnson criticize Josh Hazelwood and Nathan Leone?
Mitchell Johnson openly criticized Josh Hazelwood’s choice and suggested that the late return of Hazelwood in the IPL marked his concentration and lack of accuracy on his return with the red ball.
Josh Hazelwood conducted tests since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the WTC final was an injury after his return.
As Johnson suggested, more practice session and time for Josh Hazlewood with red ball would have given him more profit than going to WTC final; The latter’s priority for the IPL surprised him.
Some South Africa and Australian players did not return to IPL
When Marco Jensen’s choice, Ryan Ryon Ricelton and Mitchell Starc decided to return early, it was only Josh Hazelwood who played for a very end in the IPL. Although Australians did quite remarkable work in the second innings, South Africa was shared to bowl for just 138, 8 of the 10 wickets between Stark and Skipper Pat Cummins.
Mitchell Johnson identified that the Australian attack now needs to seek future options, and his comments expressed a lot of concern among recent players. Their focus was mostly on Hazelwood and Nathan Leon, experienced spinners, both ended with figures of 34–7–85–2 and 34–7–78–0 respectively, and failed under the desired influence from two great people.
“We have seen concerns about Hazelwood’s fitness in recent years, and their decision to prioritize returning to the Indian Premier League on the preparation of our national team raised eyebrows,” Johnson wrote West Australian. “Leon did not see his best even for three days.
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Hazlewood and Leon Johnson strongly responded to Johnson’s claims
Josh Hazelwood was one of the first people to respond to criticisms they faced. With full respect for Mitchell Johnson’s legacy in the game, Hazelwood said the current Australian bowling lineup including Cummins, Stark, himself and Nathan Leone, always wants to develop according to new sports standards.
“I think criticism is part of playing for Australia and parcel. Everyone deserves their opinion, but I don’t think we are still done,” said Hazelwood.
He added, “The way you have customized in circumstances and formats, we have seen a lot.”
Nathan Lyon had a very measured approach as he had indicated the importance of experience with the balance of youth along with shedding lights on Australia’s internal review cycles, which every bowler ranges from seamor to spinner, thus maintaining a sense of competitiveness on their toes.
To quote Leon, “people talk about change, but experience in the bowling group is one of our greatest strength.”
Obviously, from the statements of two modern-day great people of Australian Cricket, Hazelwood and Leon, he has said that they are not relying on previous success and are always looking to develop for their best.
