Spencer Johnson Ruled Out of T20I Series

Left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson has been sidelined from the upcoming T20I series against Scotland and England due to a side strain sustained while playing for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred.

New South Wales all-rounder Sean Abbott, initially selected only for the ODI series against England, will now replace Johnson in the T20I squad. Johnson's campaign in the Hundred had been underwhelming, with just two wickets in six matches, though he did deliver an impressive 1 for 10 from his 20 balls against Northern Superchargers.

Johnson, who quickly made a name for himself in the BBL with Brisbane Heat, has played five T20Is and one ODI since debuting against South Africa last year. He is seen as a potential successor to Mitchell Starc in Australia’s T20 side when Starc eventually steps away from the format.

Starc has been rested for the T20Is against Scotland and England but will play in the ODIs. While Pat Cummins will miss the entire tour, Josh Hazlewood is included in both squads. Abbott, with 15 T20I appearances and a record 165 wickets in BBL history, has been considered unlucky not to have played more for Australia. He has also performed well in the Hundred, taking nine wickets in seven games for Birmingham Phoenix.

Other key seamers in Australia’s T20I squad include Xavier Bartlett, who made his international debut last season, and Nathan Ellis. All-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis round out the bowling options.

Australia's selectors are also keeping an eye on the next T20 World Cup, 18 months away, and have not ruled out the involvement of veterans like Starc and Cummins in the shorter format.

Johnson will now focus on recovering in time for the start of Australia's domestic season, where he plays for South Australia. Following the UK tour, Australia’s next T20I series is against Pakistan in mid-November, which could provide another opportunity for Johnson, as the Test quicks will be unavailable due to the first Test in Perth. Australia is not scheduled to play T20Is again until July next year in the West Indies.

Australia T20I Squad vs Scotland and England

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