Spencer Johnson joins Quetta Gladiators ahead of PSL 11 auction

Quetta Gladiators have brought in Australian left-armer, Spencer Johnson as their direct signing for PSL 11 ahead of the player auction on February 11. 

Johnson expected to be fit before PSL

Johnson has not played any competitive cricket, including missing the recent BBL season, due to a stress fracture he picked up during the IPL while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The injury also saw him miss out on Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.

However, the pacer is expected to be fit before the PSL begins on March 26. He joins retained players Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, and Shamyl Hussain as Quetta’s pre-auction picks.

Johnson was part of KKR in the last IPL season as Mitchell Starc’s replacement after Starc decided against returning to India following a break due to a military stand-off against Pakistan. 

Brisbane’s key bowler

He could manage only one wicket in four games for the franchise, which is seen as the reason he went unsold in the mini-auction for the upcoming IPL season. However, his BBL returns tell a different story. He was the Brisbane Heat’s second-highest wicket-taker in BBL 13, where the franchise lifted the trophy.

The price at which he was bought was not revealed. He joins a strong contingent of Australian players in the PSL this year. Besides him, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have already been directly signed by Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen. In addition, former Australian captain Tim Paine has also joined Sialkot as head coach.

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