After completing the BBL 2023-24, the Brisbane Heat star Spencer Johnson will replace injured Nathan Ellis to play in the T20I series against West Indies.
Nathan Ellis replacement for West Indies T20Is
Spencer Johnson will get a ticket to play in the T20 World Cup after being added to Australia’s T20 squad to play in the place of Nathan Ellis.
Nathan Ellis who suffered a rib injury during the final match of the BBL 2023-24 season, has been included in the squad. On this occasion, it is said that Nathan Ellis has been given more time to recover from a rib injury.
Recently the side has completed Two Test and three-match ODI series and is set to play in the T20I series on the West Indies’ Australia tour.
Cricket Australia has announced their full-strength T20I squad for the New Zealand series which is set to follow the T20I series against West Indies.
The Brisbane Heat star player was not included in the initial squad for the West Indies series.
However, Johnson’s omission from the squad was quite a notable one. After collecting the Player of the Match in the BBL 2023-24 season, he was sidelined for the West Indies series.
Johnson is set to play his IPL debut season after being bought by Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024 auction for 1.78 million dollars. The Australia Board will select the 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June based on the performance of the upcoming IPL season.
“It is absolutely a goal,” said Johnson. “Sitting on the couch watching was driving me to return … hopefully fit and performing well to be available to get picked next year.
“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.”
He will be competing with Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Jason for the final spot in the spinner unit.
“The next six games will provide us the opportunity to start shaping what we think our World Cup squad will look like and potential roles within that,” selection chair George Bailey said yesterday.
“We will also fully utilize the opportunity to monitor and watch the performances of the Australian players in the IPL immediately preceding the World Cup.”
Johnson was sidelined due to his hamstring injury during Australia’s tour of India in 2023 where the visitors suffered a 4-1 defeat. He will be traveling with the Australian squad for the T20I series against West Indies.
Australia and West Indies will be playing their first T20I match on February 09 at Blundstone Arena.
Australia T20I squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
West Indies T20I squad
Rovman Powell (c), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas
