Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has taken aim at cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Michael Vaughan for their comments regarding Josh Hazelwood’s viral statement during the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Johnson accused them of stirring controversy and questioning the Australian team’s unity, calling their remarks unwarranted distractions.
Hazelwood’s Remark Sparks Controversy
The drama began when Australia, chasing a massive target of 534 set by India, found themselves struggling at 12/3 at the close of Day 3. During a press interaction, Hazelwood was asked about the team’s strategy for the daunting chase. His response, “You probably have to ask one of the batters that question,” caught attention and led to speculation.
Fox commentator Adam Gilchrist hinted at a potential “divide” between Australia’s batters and bowlers, and Michael Vaughan echoed his concerns. The suggestion of internal discord drew sharp criticism from Johnson, who rebuked Vaughan for overstepping his boundaries as a commentator.
Johnson’s Response to Vaughan
In his column for 7News, Johnson criticized Vaughan, stating that his comments were unnecessary and out of place. He urged Vaughan to focus on England cricket instead of meddling in Australia’s affairs.
“While Vaughan has plenty of experience and knowledge of the game, his loyalty lies with England, not Australia. He should stick to making remarks about his own team, especially with the Ashes on the horizon,” Johnson wrote.
Gavaskar Accused of Creating Distraction
Gavaskar’s comments on Hazelwood’s injury ahead of the second Test in Adelaide further irked Johnson. The former India captain had questioned whether the injury, which ruled Hazelwood out of the match, was genuine or linked to his earlier press conference remark.
Johnson accused Gavaskar of exploiting the situation to unsettle the Australian camp before the pink-ball Test.
“While I respect Gavaskar for his cricketing knowledge and have learned from him in the past, his recent comments seem aimed at provoking a reaction and aiding India’s cause. He used his media platform to distract, disrupt, and annoy the Australian team,” Johnson stated.
Johnson Defends Hazelwood
Johnson defended Hazelwood, dismissing the notion of any rift within the Australian squad. He argued that the bowler’s remark had been blown out of proportion and used as fuel for unnecessary speculation.
“Hazelwood’s comment was likely a light-hearted or straightforward response. To infer division within the team from that is baseless and exaggerated,” he concluded.
A Heated Build-Up to the Pink-Ball Test
As tensions escalate, Johnson’s criticism highlights the intense scrutiny and mind games that accompany high-stakes Test series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both teams are gearing up for the second Test in Adelaide, where the focus will shift back to the cricketing action on the field.
