Three of his players have been named in a New Zealand XI to play Zimbabwe in a three-day warm-up match in Gisborne beginning on Saturday.
Batsman Michael Bracewell, all-rounder Sam Wells and South African-born strike bowler Neil Wagner have been rewarded for some solid form in the Plunket Shield.
That was great news as far as Johnson was concerned but the former New Zealand bowling coach was bewildered by the decision to overlook Otago keeper Derek de Boorder in favour of part-time keeper BJ Watling and Central Districts gloveman Kruger van Wyk.
"To me it is an absolute bizarre decision," Johnson said.
"I believe Derek de Boorder is keeping as well as anyone in the country at the moment and he should really be there."
Test keeper Reece Young has been cut out altogether. He missed selection for the test team and the New Zealand XI.
Wagner's inclusion does not come as any surprise. The left-armer has been the form four-day bowler for the past two seasons but does not become eligible to play for New Zealand until the end of the summer.
But the promotion of Wells and Bracewell may raise a few eyebrows further north. Wells has only established his spot in the Otago four-day team in the past two years and Bracewell is a very much a young player still feeling his way at the top level.
Their selection was with an eye to the future, national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said.
"The match will give some of our key players some valuable preparation ahead of the test match in Napier as well as provide an opportunity for promising players to show what they can do at a different level," Littlejohn said.
New Zealand XI
To play Zimbabwe
Ross Taylor (c), Brent Arnel, Michael Bracewell, Chris Martin, Andy McKay, Tarun Nethula, Kruger van Wyk, Daniel Vettori, Neil Wagner, Sam Wells, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
