Surey have signed Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson for their first eight Vitality Blast matches.
The left-hander, who did not make the Australian T20 World Cup squad, is a household name in south London after visiting the Oval Invincibles last summer. He took five wickets for the Invincibles in their successful 2023 campaign, including an impressive 3 for 1 in 20 runs by Manchester Originals. He is currently playing in the Indian Premier League for Gujarat Titans.
The purchase of Johnson comes at a time when Surrey are looking to strengthen their Blast squad, which will be missing four players who will play in the T20 World Cup, including Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan and Reece Topley selected by England. They faced another crisis in March when Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie was withdrawn from his role for three months in a bid to manage his career. Johnson will join Sean Abbott as overseas selection, allowing three in the squad and two in the XI.
“I’m very happy to be joining Surrey and I have great memories of playing at Kia Oval last year,” said Johnson. “Surrey have a great team and I can’t wait to contribute with the ball in front of a packed south London crowd.”
Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of men’s cricket said: “Spencer is a very talented cricketer who has shown his skills in white-ball cricket at the highest level. He will add strength to our bowling team in the first group stage when we are down to four players for the World Cup against England.”
Despite missing out on next month’s World Cup internationals in the Caribbean and USA, Johnson remains one of the most sought-after players on the T20 circuit. The Titans have offered him a deal worth AU$1.78million (USD1.175million) for this year’s IPL, despite setting a base price of AU$90,000 (USD60,000).
After the T20 burst, he will play for the LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket, before returning to The Oval to face the Invincibles. He can also add to his six internationals at the end of England’s summer when Australia tour three T20Is and five ODIs. Johnson does not have a contract with Cricket Australia, meaning the board has no say over his domestic commitments.
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