Next Mitchell Starc! Spencer Johnson Hits Indian Premier League Pay Dirt Just Like His 'Role Model'

Spencer Johnson was a revelation for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, calapulting him into international fame and recognition beyond his native Australian borders.

Johnson made his List A debut in the 2017–18 JLT One-Day Cup for South Australia and a bright future was ahead for him.

But an ankle stress fracture meant missing years of cricket, a time in which the strapping Aussie lad could barely walk.

Catch all the latest updates of the IPL 2024 auction here with our special page for the top 10 most expensive buys at the IPL 2024 Auction. Follow our comprehensive coverage for real-time updates of the hottest bidding wars on our IPL 2024 Auction Live Blog.

On his return, foermer Australian fast-bowler and South Australia coach Jason Gillespie turned a hard taskmaster to turn around Johnson’s fortunes.

Five years had pased since his debut.

In the 2022-23 BBL season, the 28-year-old from Adelaide, threw down near 90mph thunderbolts with his left-arm and from a towering height, something that made him unplayable at times, awarding him with the reputation of a reliable death bowler.

His performances and promise paved a way to the South Australia’s Sheffield Shield side and lived up to the hype as took 16 wickets in just three games. National selectors could not look away.

Earlier this year, Johnson was named is the Australia A squad for the tour New Zealand.

In March 2023, Johnson was named in an Australia A squad to tour New Zealand and a best of 4 for 53 helped him get into the 2023 Ashes contention. Come August, Johnson made his international debut for Australia in the T20I series against South Africa as he went on to pick up 2/33.

Johnson was picked by Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, and on his debut and impressed with figures of 3/1 off 20 balls.

He also made his his ODI debut in India earlier this September but went wicketless and also the most runs.

Many have compared Johnson to Mitchell Starc, given his stature and bowling style. The bowler himself looks up to the Aussie star.

“Starcy is number one. I watched him for the last 12 years and tried to model my game around him,” Johnson was quoted as saying by AAP.

Johnson was picked up by Gujarat Titans for a whopping INR 10 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, after a intense bidding war with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday.