Massive blow for Australia as fast bowler Spencer Johnson gets ruled out of UK tour

Spencer Johnson suffered an injury while playing at The Hundred in the UK.

Spencer Johnson won’t be able to provide his services to the Australian team on their upcoming tour of the UK, as injury he suffered at The Hundred tournament has ruled him out of the series.

Australia will travel the UK next month, playing eleven matches in both white-ball formats against Scotland and England. The tour squads were named a month ago, with some significant omissions and new faces.

Australia’s T20I roster included left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson, who has made his way into the national team system over the last year.

Since his debut against South Africa last year, Johnson has played five T20Is and one ODI for Australia. The youngster, who quickly rose to prominence in the BBL with the Brisbane Heat, is viewed as a strong possibility to replace Mitchell Starc in the T20I team.

Johnson had a lean campaign at The Hundred 2024, taking only two wickets in six matches, but he did put in an excellent performance against the Northern Superchargers, going 1 for 10 from 20 deliveries. His campaign ended after he suffered a side strain while in action for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.

Sean Abbott replaces Spencer Johnson in the Australia squad for the UK tour

Meanwhile, Australia have named Sean Abbott as replacement for Spencer Johnson in the squad. Abbott was initially only due to be part of the ODI squad for the five matches against England. But now, he will be part of the T20I squad as well.

Abbott has also been in action during this season of The Hundred, for Birmingham Phoenix. He is the tournament’s joint-fifth-highest wicket-taker with nine in seven matches. Abbott, who has participated in 15 T20Is, was unlucky not to play more for Australia. He has the most wickets in BBL history, with 165.

Mitchell Starc has been rested for the T20Is against Scotland and England, but will play in the ODIs. Pat Cummins will miss the tour, although Josh Hazlewood is in both squads.

Australia T20I squad vs Scotland and England

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

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