Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Who is Spencer Johnson? Fast bowler lights up The Hundred | Spencer Johnson took 3/1 in 20 balls in The Hundred
Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson enjoyed a dream debut in The Hundred, taking remarkable figures of 3/1 in 20 balls. It was a spell deemed “unplayable”, with the tall left-armer moving the ball both ways on a perfect length at 90mph.
Johnson’s exploits at The Oval have well and truly put him on the map. Having just landed in the UK for the very first time after playing in Global T20 Canada final, Johnson had just the one indoor session before taking the new ball for Oval Invincibles against stars Jos Buttler and Phil Salt.
Salt in particular had very little idea, getting beaten on both inside and edge numerous times against a bowler who displayed tremendous control.
Johnson’s 3/1 is the most economical spell in the history of The Hundred so far. Also, it is the fifth-most economical spell in all T20 cricket worldwide. Heinrich Klaasen picked up the man-of-the-match award for his 60 off 27 balls, but the in-form batsman said “credit must go to Spence – I don’t know why he’s not standing here.”
Who is Spencer Johnson?
Born in Adelaide, Johnson has made a name for himself in January 2023 after making his List A debut for South Australia way back in 2017. There was a chance he’d never get the opportunity to make his return or realise his potential due to a recurring stress fracture in his foot that led to three years out of the game.
Eventually, South Australia decided to end his contract after such a long period. Johnson then spent nine months of the year working as a local greenskeeper in Adelaide.
In 2022, Johnson was re-signed by South Australia when he regained his fitness. However, his deal with Adelaide Strikers was set to end, so he moved to Queensland to play club cricket.
On fun fact is that Johnson is a friend of Marnus Labuschagne. He played for Labuschagne’s club Redlands, where his bowling attracted the interest of Brisbane Heat.
Now 27, Johnson made an immediate impact for the Heat in the last Big Bash League (BBL) season, bowling remarkably well in the death overs in particular to help guide the franchise towards the final. The 2022/23 season was the first time viewers witnessed him in a professional T20 match, and were immediately impressed with his speeds touching 145km/h.
He didn’t take the big wickets, but his exploits in the crunch overs have earnt him a spot in Australia’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. In 80 deliveries between overs 16 and 20 in BBL 12, Johnson conceded just 101 runs and took six wickets, with his yorkers and change-up deliveries a key feature of his bowling.
Johnson also made his First Class debut this year, back in February against Victoria. He took 6/87 in the second innings, part of 20 wickets overall in four matches. This includes a remarkable 7/47 in 23 overs in just his second match, against Queensland.
With the tall left-armer bowling beautifully, there is every chance that he makes up for so much lost time. Australia’s T20I series in South Africa begins on August 30, and with the visitors resting a number of players post-Ashes, it is likely Johnson will don the green and gold for the very first time.
