The Left arm pacer Spencer Johnson has been ruled out for next month’s T20I series against England and Scotland after picking up a side strain in The Hundred 2024 competition.
He will be replaced by all-rounder Sean Abbott who has been part of the ODI squad for five match series against England. Spencer Johnson had only claimed two wickets in six matches. But he produced an impressive display against Northern Superchargers with 1 for 10 in 20 deliveries.
Spencer Johnson who was considered a likely replacement for Mitchell Starc in the T20 side has played five T20Is and and one ODI since making his debut against South Africa last year. Meanwhile, Starc has been rested from the T20Is against Scotland and England will feature in the ODIs. Pat Cummins will miss the entire tour but Josh Hazlewood is part of both squads.
Injury setback for Australia ahead of their tour of UK.https://t.co/LT7m7whd6R
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2024
Sean Abbott has appeared in 15 T20Is and was the leading wicket-taker in BBL history with 165. He also showed a brilliant performance in The Hundred competition picking nine wickets in seven matches.
Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis will be joining Sean Abbott alongside all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis. Australia’s selector has been eyeing the next T20 World Cup which might not have Starc or Cummins in the format.
Johnson will be looking forward to recovering in time before Australia’s domestic season where he plays for South Africa. After the tour, Australia will be playing a three-match T20I series against Pakistan in November. Australia will not be having any T20I scheduled until next July against West Indies.
With the T20I series against Scotland beginning on September 04, the multi-format series against England will start on September 11. The first T20I match against Scotland will be played at the Grange Club.
Australia T20I squad for Scotland and England tour: 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
