Surrey has signed GT’s Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson for the initial eight matches of the Vitality Blast. Despite not being part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, Johnson is familiar with south London, having played for the Oval Invincibles in the previous season. He secured five wickets for the Invincibles in their victorious 2023 campaign, including an impressive 3 for 1 off 20 balls against the Manchester Originals. Currently, he is demonstrating his prowess in the Indian Premier League with the Titans.
Johnson’s recruitment occurs as Surrey endeavors to bolster their Blast squad, which will miss four primary players due to T20 World Cup duties: Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, and Reece Topley, all summoned by England. The team encountered another hurdle in March when Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie pulled out from a three-month tenure to regulate his workload. Johnson will accompany Sean Abbott as one of the overseas choices, complying with the squad’s three-foreigner limit, with only two permitted in the playing XI.
“I’m very excited to join Surrey and I have some fantastic memories from playing at the Kia Oval last year,” Johnson said. “Surrey have a great squad and I can’t wait to contribute with the ball in front of the packed out crowds in south London.” Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of men’s cricket, said: “Spencer is a highly talented cricketer who has shown his skills in white-ball cricket at the highest levels. He will add strength to our bowling unit in the first part of the group stages when we have four players away at the World Cup with England.”
Despite not making the cut for the upcoming World Cup, Johnson remains a sought-after player in the T20 scene. The Titans secured him for the IPL with a staggering deal of AU$1.78 million, a massive leap from his base price of AU$90,000. After his stint in the T20 Blast, he’s slated to join the LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket, followed by a return to The Oval for the Hundred with Invincibles. There’s also a chance for him to boost his international caps as Australia tours for T20Is and ODIs at the end of the English summer. Cricket Australia’s lack of a central contract means they can’t dictate his domestic commitments.
Source Agencies
