Hazlewood and Lyon respond to stinging Johnson comments calling for change

Bridgetown: Josh Hazlewood has defended his preparations heading into the World Test Championship final as Nathan Lyon declared no Test stars were hanging around for an Ashes swansong, after their former teammate Mitchell Johnson questioned the Australian attack.

Johnson, Australia’s sixth-leading wicket taker in Tests, played alongside Hazlewood and Lyon during the side’s last victorious tour of the West Indies, in 2015.

Following Australia’s five-wicket defeat to South Africa in the WTC final, Johnson used his column in The West Australian newspaper to publicly question some of Australia’s bowlers and senior players.

“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,” Johnson wrote in The West Australian. “Lyon didn’t look his best on day three either.

“Our successful ‘big four’ bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh 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.

Australian bowlers (from left) Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.Credit: AP

“I’m not being overly critical of an ageing team which has achieved plenty together … but it’s essential to consider when the right time is to make some tough calls.”

Hazlewood, who was managing a minor shoulder injury before the IPL was postponed, chose to return to India and resume commitments for Royal Challengers Bengaluru instead of heading straight to London before the WTC final.

The veteran Australian quick, who averaged 13.6 with the ball last year, took match figures of 2-85 in the WTC final after building his workloads up during training while at the IPL.

“I haven’t seen any of that, to be honest,” Hazlewood told this masthead when asked about Johnson’s column ahead of Australia’s opening Test against the West Indies on Wednesday. “We know what’s going on in inside our rooms. It seemed far and away the best place to get ready for any type of cricket that was coming up. The weather was definitely a factor as well. Just getting over there and playing intense competition like that, it’s hard to replicate in training.

Josh Hazlewood bowling during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last summer. Credit: AAP

“Sydney, it was raining and I had literally nowhere to bowl. I got to Brisbane for three or four days and it was very wet. We were lucky to get on. I just thought the best place to bowl was India. We were still in the competition, we were going to play semis, and I was going to be there for 10 days.

“I think it was comfortably the best option.”

Hazlewood believes he’s bowling as well as he has in his career across all three formats.

“I mean, if you look at the numbers, it probably suggests so as well,” Hazlewood said. “I feel quite relaxed at the moment about my cricket. The ball is coming out nicely in all the formats. I feel like I’m adjusting and hitting good lengths.

Lyon, Australia’s most successful off-spinner, went wicketless at Lord’s but has no intention of slowing down. He rejected suggestions stalwarts in the team were hanging on for a send-off on their own terms.

“Regarding ‘Johnno’, there’s nothing really to be said there,” Lyon said.

“We never take any of our positions for granted. There’s that much competition within the squad … and guys putting the senior players under pressure.

“There’s no one planning a farewell tour or anything like that. I don’t see there’s a reason why the guys can’t keep going for a number of years. They’re only doing that for the betterment of Australian cricket. We want to play in games, we want to win games.

“That [loss to South Africa] does still sting a fair bit to be honest with you.

“We’re really proud of the last two years that we’ve had to reach the final. Everyone says how hard finals are to reach, but we got outplayed. And that’s a disappointing part of it. A tough pill to swallow.”

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