He’s the Heat rookie described as the “find of the tournament”, and there’s no doubt Spencer Johnson will have a huge say on who wins the Big Bash League final on Saturday.
Johnson has been a revelation for Brisbane in their rise from cellar dwellers to finalists in just 19 days.
The Heat have been beaten just twice since Johnson made his BBL debut on January 11, as they’ve come through three straight do-or-die finals to reach the decider in Perth.
Watch BBL12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
And it’s been Johnson leading the way in the most stressful moments, bowling at the death and in power plays while still averaging a whopping almost 11 dot balls per game – the best of any BBL bowler this season.
His ratio of dot balls is so high, he sits second in competition history behind only Scorchers star Mitchell Johnson (51.1%), while he’s also hit the magical 150km/h mark.
“This has been terrific from the young bowler,” cricket great Kerry O’Keeffe said.
“He’s missed a lot of cricket and he’s back announcing himself in the BBL.
“Spencer Johnson – the name on everybody’s lips. Two surnames, that’ll do anybody.
“This is an Adelaide boy who’s had a lot of injuries over the years – no one’s ever doubted his temperament, nor will anyone after (his BBL performances).”
Johnson, who was likened to Aussie star Mitchell Starc by his Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons, stands an imposing 193cm.
Fox Cricket’s Mark Waugh was full of praise for the Adelaide local who has endured a tough almost four-year absence from the sport with an ongoing ankle issue.
Scorches stars dominate team of the BBL | 00:47
“I think he’s been the find of the season,” Waugh said.
“He’s jumped out of the pack.
“He’s been a real find.
“He’s beaten the bat a lot. He’s hustled every batsman.
“No one’s really collared him. He’s bowled the pressure overs.
“Anyone who bowls quick always gets the attention of fellow players, spectators, coaches. He’s been amazing. I haven’t seen him bowl a bad over yet.
“He’s taken every opportunity that’s been thrown his way.
“He’s deceptive. I reckon he’d feel like he’s on top of ya the big fella.
“You just felt if they had one more good quick bowler they’d win a few more games, but they’ve got it right in the back half.”
And with Johnson’s inclusion, Michael Neser has been able to bowl more overs early as the Heat have found their balance with the ball.
It was Neser and Marnus Labuschagne who helped get the 27-year-old Johnson to the Heat after his injury woes in South Australia.
“We were together at the Strikers for a couple of years before I followed him up here,” Johnson said of Neser on The Unplayable podcast.
“(And) I think Marnus got in the coaches’ ears up here and said ‘I’ve just played with him, I think we need to get him up here’.”
Heat can still win without Aussie stars | 00:43
Many cricket fans have wondered how Johnson slipped from South Australian cricket into the Heat’s hands.
But the rising star says he’s had nothing but support from the SACA throughout his torrid run with injury.
“For the last six years, they’ve stuck by me,” he said on The Unplayable podcast.
“They’ve always kept the faith.
“They’ve helped me through this journey.
“Could have quite easily gone this is too hard, I’m never going to get back to where I want to be.
“Unfortunately got a stress fracture in my foot which I missed 12 months with. Then missed another 12 months – pretty much 24 months without bowling a ball
“After the second stress fracture they put a screw in it. My body sort of rejected the screw so missed another six months, had to take the screws out. It was about a three-and-a-half/four-year process.”
Heat coach Darren Lehmann laughed as he spoke about coughing Johnson back up to South Australia after the Big Bash ends this weekend.
“He’s been excellent for us,” he said.
“He’s got the extra ball speed. I think he’ll play red ball cricket very shortly – hopefully for the Queensland Bulls, there you go how’s that one? (laughs).
“I think he’s contracted with the SACA boys. He’ll be back there playing.
“But he’s been excellent for the Brisbane Heat so we’re really happy for him.”
Heat teammates Sam Hain and Matt Renshaw have been full of praise for what Johnson’s been able to achieve in just nine BBL games.
“He’s a hell of a find,” Hain said.
Marnus gives Usman the wind up | 00:45
“You never want to face him in the nets. He bowls rockets,” Renshaw laughed.
“He bowls a lot of bouncers – you always wanted to try and get away from him. I’d spray him and he’d still bowl them the next day.
“You can’t teach raw pace. He’s stood up in the pressure moments.
“It’s been awesome to see.”
Fox Cricket’s Adam Gilchrist said Johnson was very “Mitchell Johnson-like” in the way he goes about his game.
“He’s been very impressive,” he said.
“Australian cricket has found another talent in the bowling ranks.
“This fella is about raw pace. He gets it through with some proper wheels on it!”
Australian pace ace Brett Lee was certainly impressed with Johnson’s natural action.
“You know sometimes when you see a bowler’s action and they just do it easy? It’s so rhythmical. He looks like a natural athlete. I reckon he’d be a good sprinter as well,” Lee praised.
“Any young boy or girl that wants to bowl fast, look how easy he does it, his approach.
“He’s got pace to burn.
“I hope the Brisbane Heat sign him up. Lock him away, look after him.”
Rivals Mitch Marsh and Dan Christian were both left in awe of what Johnson could achieve in the speed stakes.
“Oh he’s another bloke I’ve got to face who bowls 150!” Marsh laughed.
“It’s always your first thought when a new kid comes on the block … ‘oh I’ve got to face him again’.
“I’d be calm and composed too if I’m bowling 150k’s an hour!
Heat keep hot streak going against Gades | 03:48
“You can clearly see he’s got a lot of talent.”
“Where has he been hiding? Why hasn’t he been playing every game?” Christian asked.
Fox Cricket’s Brad Haddin said the most impressive aspect of Johnson’s rise was his composure and ability to remain calm in the pressure moments.
“He showed a lot of maturity under pressure. He has been ice cool,” he said.
“He bowls quick and that makes a lot of anxiety in the opposition change rooms.”
“When you have a senior player like (Marcus) Stoinis go hard at you and not panic, for someone so young shows great character.
“For me it’s been his composure. It doesn’t look like he gets flustered. For someone so early in his career, it’s a real good trait to have.”
Johnson has been the man to guide the Heat home multiple times this season, including against the Strikers and Stars.
And he’ll no doubt be the man Heat captain Jimmy Peirson turns to in Perth as Brisbane attempt to win their second BBL title.
