Australis's star speedster Spencer Johnson's dream of featuring in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 has taken a major blow after getting ruled out of Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-2026 due to a serious back injury. Johnson won't be available for Brisbane Heat for the entire tournament, which is slated to start from December 14.
Spencer Johnson ruled out of BBL
The left-arm quick has not played since his stint in the IPL, where he first experienced the back pain. Initially, the 29-year-old believed the pain was related to a recurrence of a previous disc issue. However, he experienced further pain while training ahead of the T20I tour of the West Indies in July, and subsequent scans revealed a stress fracture.
Johnson then spent several months in rehabilitation, focusing on activities like pilates and swimming while waiting for the bone to heal fully. After an October scan, he was hopeful of being cleared to return to play in the new year during the BBL season. Unfortunately, Brisbane Heat officially confirmed that their title-winning fast bowler would not be fit to participate in the season at all.
"Spencer continues to recover from a back injury and pleasingly, this is improving. However, the latest time-frame for his return to play does not enable him to participate in the BBL this season. We're all disappointed for Spencer but will provide him with ongoing support as he continues to recover," Heat CEO Terry Svenson said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Spencer Johnson's T20 World Cup dream in jeopardy
Australia's T20 World Cup campaign begins on February 11, making it highly unlikely that Spencer Johnson will be fit in time to effectively stake his claim for a spot in the final 15-man squad. Johnson had been viewed as a potential successor to the recently retired Mitchell Starc in the T20I setup. However, while Johnson has been sidelined with injury, the Australian team has performed well, winning three of their four recent T20I series. The current pace attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, and Xavier Bartlett, has developed a strong combination, and Pat Cummins could also return to the squad if fully fit before the World Cup.
Johnson will continue his rehabilitation efforts in Adelaide, where he is based and holds a domestic contract with South Australia. Looking ahead, Johnson has put his name forward for the upcoming IPL auction, nominating for the second-highest base price of 150 lakh (approximately AUD$252,957). Although he was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders at the end of last season, he remains optimistic about securing a contract and being fit and available to play in the tournament if a team selects him.