Spencer Johnson replaces Nathan Ellis in Australia T20 squad for West Indies

The Rib injury of New South Wales pacer Nathan Ellis is all set to keep him out of the entire white ball phase of West Indies‘ month-long tour which will come to an end with a 3-match T20I series. The Australian Cricket Board is reluctant to take any chances with Ellis’ injury and has thus replaced him with South Australian left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson for the upcoming series.

Nathan Ellis had rubbed his lungs into a ball by falling over it during the recently concluded Big Bash League 2023/24 edition where he represented the Hobart Hurricanes. It happened during the Hurricanes’ final 10th league match before finishing 5th on the points table. Spencer Johnson on the other hand had a contrasting season as he helped the Brisbane Heat claim their 2nd BBL title.

Johnson had a decent season with the Heats as he collected 9 wickets in just 3 matches at an exceptional economy rate of less than 5 and had also claimed the man of the match award for his sensational figures of 4/26 in his quota of 4 overs including almost 2 overs of dot balls.

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The 28-year-old Adelaide pacer is very lethal in terms of not just picking up wickets but also in terms of line length with a lot of pace. His domestic performances were a hot topic in India as well and that was evident in the interest he generated during the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai last December.

Spencer Johnson was swooped up by the 2022 IPL winners and runners-up from last season’s Gujarat Titans who had to fight off competition from the Delhi Capitals for his signature. At one point, the DC had almost named him to their team for INR 5 crores but they eventually had to let him go for Gujarat’s offer which was double what DC had agreed to pay.

The South Australian who can regularly click a speed of 145 kmph was bought by Ashish Nehra’s side for a whopping INR 10 crores (AUD 1.78 million) from the base price of 50 Lakhs in what was just his maiden appearance under the IPL auction hammer.

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“It Is Absolutely A Goal”, Spencer Johnson Opines On His T20 World Cup Hopes

Under the regime of Ashish Nehra who himself was a left-arm bowler winning the Cricket World Cup as well as the IPL, Spencer Johnson will have a lot to learn and for him to seal his spot for the ICC T20 World Cup later this year, he will have to show his full potential in the series against West Indies.

The 28-year-old will be vying to be included alongside senior bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa. And Australia’s next 6 matches in the shortest format will be deciding who cuts the backup bowler.

While speaking to Cricket Australia after a successful BBL season, Spencer Johnson remained hopeful about his T20 WC chances and said that he will make the opportunity count.

“It is absolutely a goal. The Aussies had great success in India, winning the ODI World Cup, and I didn’t miss a ball of it. Last year I was an unknown and there was no real expectation. The Heat gave me a chance and I was thrown into those death overs and (Power) Surge overs and that held me in really good stead for this year.” – Johnson told Cricket Australia. 

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