Johnson hoping to play first-class cricket again after injury-free run

Australian left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson is aiming to return to first-class cricket after completing a successful red-ball appearance for South Australia's Second XI. Johnson, who has not played a first-class match since November 2024, hopes Australia's upcoming three-match ODI series against England will build his bowling workloads sufficiently to prepare him for red-ball competition.

The 30-year-old missed a full year of cricket due to a lumbar stress fracture before returning to international action in mid-2026. With frontline pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc rested ahead of a Test series against New Zealand, Johnson is set to take on a prominent role in Australia's limited-overs attack.