Australian Twenty20 debutant Spencer Johnson is being earmarked for a fast-bowling strike role similar to Mitchell Starc in the three-game series against South Africa.
The left-arm quick will join Aaron Hardie and Matt Short in making their Australian debut in game one in Durban starting on Thursday at 0200 AEST.
The series heralds a new Australian era in the shortest format with Mitchell Marsh to captain after replacing the retired Aaron Finch.
Australia’s largely inexperienced 14-man squad features a pace brigade including Johnson, Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorf and Nathan Ellis.
Batsman Travis Head is backing fellow South Australian Johnson to flourish in a new-ball role similar to Starc.
Spencer Johnson. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
“I am looking forward to him getting his opportunity … it (international selection) has probably come a little bit quicker than expected,” Head said.
“He is someone who bowls a high speed and can swing the new ball.
“Hopefully he can be that guy for us at the top of the bowling innings, someone similar to Starcy for us – be able to be a match-winner with taking wickets.
“It will be nice to see him get international experience and have a crack at it.”
Head described the three-game T20 series as an important step, off-field and on, for Australia’s white-ball cricketers with the 50-over World Cup starting in India in early October.
The Australians will play five ODIs against the South Africans following the T20 series.
“Winning is important but you’re not going to win a World Cup in South Africa, you’re going to win it in India come the end of November,” Head said.
“So really important that we connect well as a group, we look after each other, we have a really good time, we enjoy each other’s company, we train well and then we play well.
“It’s all about timing our run a little bit probably but no doubt we want to win games and play well.
“It’s a nice feeling in the camp when you can win games of cricket so that will be the aim.
“But at the end of the day making sure that the environment is in a good space so when we get to India we can really nail down what we want to achieve at the end of that World Cup.”
Australian team for game one: Mitch Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I think you might have misunderstood my comment. I was referring only to the T20 part of the series, which seems pointless to me given we're looking at a 50 over World Cup in a few weeks. Surely additional ODIs would have been better options for both SA and Aus?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If they don’t play this series, when are they finding form for a WC? It’s the most meaningful white ball series we’ve played in a year
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Does anybody get more wickets off rubbish balls than Sean Abbott?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Yeah, he was only better than Abbott which isn't a very high bar. His pace was consistently 90+mph in his spell in 100. Not sure what was amiss in Durban
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He bowled at 132kph - 138kph in this game, without moving it and too short.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
For that reason, it has great meaning. I'm not inspired by watching NSW represent Australia. This series allows us to watch form players in Australia who have earned selection.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
If it feels like an A tour, sounds like an A tour and scheduled like an A tour maybe we should just call it what it is.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
This is a meaningless series and the South Africans have largely agreed, leaving out guys like Rabada, De Kock and others. That said, it's a great chance for the Aussies to get a good look at some new talent. Hopefully the three debutants get to play all 3 games in this series
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I watched Johnson's debut in the Hundred. Remarkably, he took 3/1 off 20 balls. Wasn't a very low scoring match either. It swung and bounced a bit and he was close to unplayable. He went for >30 in his next match but the debut was incredible
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Look forward to seeing the new Johno, onwards & upwards :thumbup: