Whats wrong with Mitchell Johnson?

[Ram]

Johnson set to ignore IPL again Cricinfo staff January 10, 2009 Mitchell Johnson has changed his mind on appearing in the IPL this year after deciding it would be better for his long-term future to skip the tournament. Johnson did not take part in last year's event as he aimed to secure his hold on a Test spot and having achieved that goal, he expressed his interest in the IPL for 2009. Johnson was expected to earn a huge sum in next month's player auction. However, his heavy recent workload - he is being rested for Australia's first ODIs this year - and the hectic upcoming schedule encouraged Johnson to focus on his national duties. "We decided not to go last year because he wanted to get fit and build his strength and consolidate his place in the Australian team," Johnson's manager Sam Halvorsen told the Weekend Australian. "You would have to say, looking back now, it worked effectively. With that same thing in mind we want to protect his long-term interests and I don't see that will be served by playing the IPL and he agrees." Halvorsen said although Johnson would be turning down a massive amount of money, that was not the only criterion to consider. He said it was likely that several players who took part in last year's tournament might have had second thoughts as to whether it was worth it. "Physically when you are playing as much cricket as they are you have to take a rest," Halvorsen said. "Mitchell was bowling 50 overs a Test match and it was fast bowling. He's also been scoring runs. "If you don't take a rest you are going to ruin yourself. We see Mitchell playing for eight to 10 years and his interests won't be served by playing IPL this season." © Cricinfo http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/385946.html ---------------------------- If you're a normal person, you're expected to haggle like the Sri Lankan cricketers, who literally held their board to ransom to reschedule an English tour so that they can play in the IPL, or like the English players, who fell head over heels to take part in a Win-a-Million-Dollar-in-one-day extravaganza organized by a Caribbean Billionaire. Mitchell Johnson needs psychiatric help.

[Chandan]

Johnson set to ignore IPL again Cricinfo staff January 10, 2009 Mitchell Johnson has changed his mind on appearing in the IPL this year after deciding it would be better for his long-term future to skip the tournament. Johnson did not take part in last year's event as he aimed to secure his hold on a Test spot and having achieved that goal, he expressed his interest in the IPL for 2009. Johnson was expected to earn a huge sum in next month's player auction. However, his heavy recent workload - he is being rested for Australia's first ODIs this year - and the hectic upcoming schedule encouraged Johnson to focus on his national duties. "We decided not to go last year because he wanted to get fit and build his strength and consolidate his place in the Australian team," Johnson's manager Sam Halvorsen told the Weekend Australian. "You would have to say, looking back now, it worked effectively. With that same thing in mind we want to protect his long-term interests and I don't see that will be served by playing the IPL and he agrees." Halvorsen said although Johnson would be turning down a massive amount of money, that was not the only criterion to consider. He said it was likely that several players who took part in last year's tournament might have had second thoughts as to whether it was worth it. "Physically when you are playing as much cricket as they are you have to take a rest," Halvorsen said. "Mitchell was bowling 50 overs a Test match and it was fast bowling. He's also been scoring runs. "If you don't take a rest you are going to ruin yourself. We see Mitchell playing for eight to 10 years and his interests won't be served by playing IPL this season." © Cricinfo http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/385946.html ---------------------------- If you're a normal person, you're expected to haggle like the Sri Lankan cricketers, who literally held their board to ransom to reschedule an English tour so that they can play in the IPL, or like the English players, who fell head over heels to take part in a Win-a-Million-Dollar-in-one-day extravaganza organized by a Caribbean Billionaire. Mitchell Johnson needs psychiatric help.

I think managing the heavy work load is more a concern to him than the money of IPL. He was literally bowled to ground in last 3 months vs India, NZ and SA. He has a long season ahead with important series like SA tour, Ashes and the home series of 2009. Then Australians will be playing lot of ODIs too. It was a very wise decision by him.

[EnterTheVoid]

Actually, Mitch is a smart cookie Country comes first well done mate

[Sachinism]

Just because he isn't phased by the extra money, doesn't mean something is wrong with him. I guess he is someone who realises the importance of Test cricket and that's where he wants to give his best performances

[Donny]

Agree with last 3 posters. Psychiatric help ? What's the problem, MM ? There's more to life than IPL dollars. :regular_smile:

[observer1]

not fit enough to stand the rigour of the tournament? scared of being belted about? fragile confidence? he will change his mind in 2010, or even maybe midway thro' this one.

[cowboysfan]

cmon-MM is trying to funny here.

[EnterTheVoid]

if stanford asked tendulkar to play in his crummy 20 20 tournament at the expense of the border gavaskar trophy, we all would expect tendulkar to say "Stanford, stick those 24 carat gold biscuits up your a__ cos my country comes first" well done mitch, proud of you mate as you do your country, and my adopted homeland, proud :) :) :)

[DomainK]

I think he is wise, intelligent and dedicated. Good for him. Country and team comes first.

[Dravid]

There's more to life than IPL dollars. :regular_smile:

too bad half of the aussie players dont think that:giggle:

[Dark Warrior]

After a certain point money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts!!!

[Guest Hiten.]

I think he realizes that this is his only chance to take over the role of strike bowler in Aussie team. I say its a smart move by MJ. If MJ keeps ignoring IPL for a while, the franchise owners will throw anything at him when MJ decides to join....which eventually he will.

[hitman1980]

Wht's the big deal in rejecting IPL offer? Some accepts it and some reject it .... It doesn't make him smart or stupid ... It is his personal choice ... Useless hype is provided to small piece of news ...

[bharat297]

I dont blame him ... Australia desperately need him for the SAF tour and the Ashes ... if i were him i wouldnt risk injury in IPL

[Ram]

Johnson would have been a hot pick had he decided to make himself available for the auction, along with KP and Freddie. He could have easily raked up anything between $5,00,00 - $7,00,000. If he has really stayed away from playing to look after his long term interests, then kudos to him for that. Its a very brave decision because, who knows what will happen to IPL after this edition. Some of the owners may pull the plug on their involvement. At a time when other players are using both carrots and sticks to almost force their home-boards to allow them to take part, to see an emerging star relinquish his chance for TWO consecutive years is quite unusual.

[Guest Hiten.]

Johnson would have been a hot pick had he decided to make himself available for the auction, along with KP and Freddie. He could have easily raked up anything between $5,00,00 - $7,00,000. If he has really stayed away from playing to look after his long term interests, then kudos to him for that. Its a very brave decision because, who knows what will happen to IPL after this edition. Some of the owners may pull the plug on their involvement. At a time when other players are using both carrots and sticks to almost force their home-boards to allow them to take part, to see an emerging star relinquish his chance for TWO consecutive years is quite unusual.

See there's the problem. Australian, English players can actually survive and live a merry life with the money they earn with their contracts with respective boards. Didn't Michael Vaughan rake around 300,000 pounds for just being in the test squad ? I actually respect MJ's decision because Australia have a really hectic schedule in the year 2009 and MJ has to be fit enough to play in all these games. More importantly, he can to live up to the "strike bowler" tag. I am certain that MJ would decide to join IPL once he fits in to the new cast comfortably.

[Chorazin Reto]

Also IPL is hit and miss dollar wise, sometimes players dont go for as much as you think they would, and others go for a massively inflated price. He has had a pretty tough workload with Lee looking out of sorts and eventually breaking down with a foot injury, looks like he's just giving mr body a rest and focusing on Aust duties. Im sure there will be plenty of other bowlers to pick from.

[fineleg]

Mitchell Johnson needs psychiatric help.

Eh!? Kudos to Mitchell Johnson He realizes Test cricket is the ultimate and puts the country and top cricket ahead of the IPL-Modi-Circus show. I hope some of our Indian cricketers prioritize Test cricket over IPL. Sure, if you have time and fitness to play both they can. But dont sacrifice Test and play IPL!