Spencer Johnson has been making waves in the BBL with his fiery left-arm pace, but his ultimate dream is to don the Baggy Green and make his mark in Test cricket—a goal that continues to fuel his ambitions.
Inspired by Mitchell Starc’s dominance with left-arm swing, the 28-year-old sees the veteran Australian quick as the benchmark. “Watching Starcy scatter stumps and hit pads, that’s what I strive for,” Johnson said. “He’s been so durable for so long, and I’m trying to pick up tips from him. He’s always been open to helping, even sending me photos of how he straps his ankles and toes.”
Johnson, who made his ODI debut against India in 2023, was presented with his cap by Starc and vividly remembers the encouragement he received from him after suffering a hamstring injury in the same match. “At 1 a.m., he texted me words of encouragement. That meant a lot,” Johnson recalled.
On Friday, Johnson signed a two-year contract extension with the Brisbane Heat, securing his place at the BBL franchise for the next four seasons. He’s looking to build on his standout performances from last summer, where he took 19 wickets at an average of 14.47, including a match-winning 4-26 in the BBL final against the Sydney Sixers.
His rise in cricket has been remarkable. After impressing in the Sheffield Shield with a five-wicket haul for South Australia, he earned a $1.78 million IPL deal with the Gujarat Titans and will join the Kolkata Knight Riders next season for $500,000. In November, his devastating 5-26 against Pakistan in the T20 series showcased his potential on the international stage.
Despite his meteoric rise, Johnson remains focused on Test cricket. “I’ve always wanted to play the longer format,” he said. “I got a taste of it recently and felt really good. If I can stay fit and put in strong performances, hopefully, the Baggy Green isn’t too far away.”
Starc and Hazlewood join BBL as supplementary players
However, a toe tendon injury has put his availability for the Heat’s BBL opener against the Melbourne Stars in doubt. “It’s settling down nicely, but whether I play will depend on the selectors,” he said.
As he prepares for another BBL campaign, Johnson has his eyes on a bigger goal: earning a spot in the Australian squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. “If I perform well in the Big Bash, the rest will take care of itself,” he said.
