Quick with the left arm Due to a side injury sustained during the Hundred match against Oval Invincibles, Spencer Johnson will not play in the T20I series against Scotland and England next month.
Sean Abbott, an all-rounder from New South Wales, who was only supposed to be included in the ODI team for the five matches against England, will take his position.
Johnson had a poor Hundred season, taking only two wickets in six games, but he did put up a strong show against the Northern Superchargers, going 1 for 10 in his 20 deliveries.
From his debut against South Africa last year, Johnson—who rose fast through the BBL with Brisbane Heat—has participated in five Twenty20 internationals and one One-Day International. He is seen to be Mitchell Starc’s most likely successor in the T20 side when that spot becomes permanently open.
Starc will play in the ODIs but has been rested from the T20Is against Scotland and England. Pat Cummins is out for the duration of the trip, but Josh Hazlewood is playing for both teams.
Abbott has played in 15 Twenty20 international matches; it is a shame that he hasn’t played more for Australia. With 165 wickets, he is the most wicket-taker in BBL history. Abbott has also played for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, where he has claimed nine wickets in seven games.
Along with all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis, the other frontline seamers in the T20I team are Xavier Bartlett, who made his debut in international cricket last season, and Nathan Ellis.
The Australian selectors have not ruled out Starc or Cummins in the format, but they do have an eye toward the upcoming T20 World Cup in 18 months.
Moving forward, Johnson’s goal is to be well in time to play for South Australia in the Australia domestic season. The next T20Is for Australia are a three-match series against Pakistan in mid-November, following the UK trip.
This might present another chance for Johnson, given the Test quicks aren’t included because of the proximity of the first Test in Perth.
Australia’s next T20I match is set for July of next year at the West Indies, following the Pakistan series.
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