Spencer Johnson reflects on Surrey spell as his T20 Blast involvement draws to a close

BY MARCUS HOOK

Aussie fast bowler Spencer Johnson rates Surrey’s crushing 54-run victory over Sussex Sharks on Saturday as the South Londoners’ best T20 performance this season.

The 28-year-old, whose spell in this season’s Blast ends after Friday’s clash with Glamorgan, took two wickets in the first four balls of the Sharks’ response to Surrey’s 184-8 at Hove.

Not even some late order hitting from Jack Carson and England’s Ollie Robinson could prevent the visitors, who were held to a tie by Gloucestershire the day before, returning to the top of the South Group after six games.

“It felt like our best all-round performance so far and after last night’s tie with Gloucestershire it was good to get two points and go back to the top of the table,” said the left-arm seamer, who has grabbed eight wickets at just 17.87 runs apiece for the Oval outfit.

Johnson said: “We were disappointed not to get two points against Gloucestershire. On a new wicket, facing the new ball was quite tough and early wickets were the key to the match. One point was better than none.

“Taking the first over and new ball in a T20 is a fair bit of responsibility, so to contribute to the win at Hove was good.

“It was a tricky wicket and we finished our innings thinking we had 15-20 over par. The ball nipped around a bit and Sussex have some handy bowlers, so credit to our batters for getting us to the total we did.”

Jamie Smith once again starred with the bat, hitting a 22-ball 45, including five sixes for the South Londoners, though not before Laurie Evans had got Surrey off to a blistering start with 41.

At 28, Johnson is still playing catch-up after a string of ankle injuries threatened to scupper his dream of playing for Australia.

But since his remarkable performance for Oval Invincibles against Manchester Originals in last summer’s Men’s Hundred – when his 20 balls produced 19 dots and three wickets for just one run conceded – Johnson hasn’t looked back.

“Two years ago, I didn’t have a State deal or a Big Bash contract and I was working as a landscaper and greenskeeper,” said Johnson, who has been retained by the Invincibles for this year’s Hundred, which gets underway on July 23.

“I felt like I had the potential, it was just a question of getting myself right. I’ve always had that inner belief, but it was more if my body would let me.

“I’ve had a bit of a tough run with injuries, but I’ve come out the other side. I missed three or four years from 2020 to last year, but I think I can make up those years at the back end of my career.”

Following his first experience of playing in the Indian Premier League, it suited Johnson to join Surrey for the Blast just in case the call came to hook up with Australia’s T20 World Cup squad as a last-minute injury replacement.

“On the outside, looking in, Surrey are one of the best clubs in England, if not the best club, so when the opportunity came up I thought ‘take it, absolutely’,” said Johnson.

“Being part of this environment and playing for Surrey is probably on most cricketers’ to-do list and I’ve enjoyed every minute.”

South East Stars women have booked their Finals Day place in the Charlotte Edwards Cup this weekend by overcoming The Blaze by five wickets in a low-scoring clash at Derby. With the Blaze and the Stars bossing the qualification group, many viewed it as a dress-rehearsal for the final.
Emma Jones top-scored with an unbeaten 30 and hit the winning six as the Stars won with 29 balls to spare.

She said: “The Blaze have been unbelievable in the competition up to this point, so it is really pleasing to win like that.

“It is not something to be arrogant about if we play them again next weekend, but it is a confidence boost for sure, and it tells us that we can win this competition.

“We put up a great performance with the ball. Alexa Stonehouse [3-13] has been fantastic for us in the powerplay the last few games and she delivered again today.

“You never want to be overconfident when you’re chasing a low target, but we have a way of playing. We like to bat with intent, plus everyone in our team can bat, so we were always going to go for our shots.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD