For Spencer Johnson, this past week has been long. He was taking part in the Global T20 Canada championship game on Sunday. He was recalled by Australia on Monday in preparation for their T20I series in South Africa later this month. And on Wednesday evening, he completed his Hundred debut for Oval Invincibles with the absurd stats of 3 for 1 from 20 balls.
Johnson, who is 27 years old, had never been to the UK before his flight landed on Monday. Prior to playing against Manchester Originals on Tuesday morning, he participated in one quick indoor practise with the Invincibles, taking the new ball with Phil Salt and Jos Buttler at the other end. Johnson grinned and added, “It was a little terrifying.
When Pakistani tearaway Ihsanullah hurt his elbow just before leaving for the UK, Invincibles chose him as a last-minute replacement. Due to his obligations in Canada, which followed immediately after playing for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the first season of Major League Cricket, he arrived late.
Before Johnson arrived, Tom Moody, the Invincibles’ coach, gave him some straightforward tips for bowling at The Oval. Johnson said that when Moods contacted to see if I wanted to visit, he added, “You’re going to love it here – it’s similar to the Gabba.” He made his Big Bash debut there last year, bowling for Brisbane Heat and displaying good velocity.
His strategy was straightforward: to pound away at a hard length while utilising The Oval’s characteristic pace and bounce. “I bowl at the six- to seven-meter range. I didn’t have to think about it too much because that is my natural length,” he remarked. The statement “It was cool!”
Johnson’s first five balls resulted in one leg bye and one drawn-out appeal for Buttler’s lbw. His second set of five included two plays-and-misses from Salt, who was completely out of sorts in his 11-ball 2. It also included the only run he gave up right off the bat (Buttler tucked him out to deep square leg).
The originals were 58 for 6 after 60 balls, in theoretical chase of 187, when he returned, and the game was ended as a match. Although Usama Mir spooned to mid-off and Josh Little’s and Tom Hartley’s stumps were crushed, his final ten balls, all bowled in a row from the Pavilion End, were still impressive.
He set a number of records, including the cheapest stint in the Hundred’s brief existence as well as the second-cheapest spell in any major league and the fifth-cheapest spell overall in T20 cricket. Heinrich Klaasen stated as he accepted the trophy for the game after scoring a 60 off just 27 balls: “Credit must go to Spence – I don’t know why he’s not standing here.”
Johnson had trouble speaking in a post-match interview with Sky Sports since he was still jet lagged after his travel. It’s all just a haze right now, he said. “It’s fantastic to play at The Oval here in front of these amazing supporters. Actually, I’m pinching myself.
The Invincibles attack is one of the strongest in the league thanks to his pace, which he shares with Gus Atkinson, who was measured at 95 mph on Wednesday night, along with the trickery of the Curran brothers, the spin of Sunil Narine, and Nathan Sowter. Three games into the season, they are atop the standings.
They will have to do without Johnson if they do make it to the knockout rounds for the first time because of his call-up to Australia. “I wasn’t formally informed until the latter part of last week. It’s obviously pretty awesome to, hopefully, make my international debut. It’s a little difficult to process.
He has battled injuries for a large portion of his adult life, which explains why he has played so little professional cricket in his career despite being a left-arm fast bowler who bowls at 90 mph. However, no one who witnessed him perform on Invincibles’ inaugural team would be shocked by Australia’s interest in him.
Johnson remarked, “From where I was to today, I’ve just taken everything in my stride. “Ride the wave,” I keep saying, and that’s what I try to do. So far, it’s working well enough for him.
