Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat has secured the prized signature of left-arm pace revelation Spencer Johnson until 2026 after extending his existing KFC Big Bash League deal for a further two years.
Johnson, 27, made an eye-catching entry into the BBL last summer as he helped the Heat to reach the Final of the competition.
The Adelaide paceman was originally signed on a two-year contract after being one of the two players to be signed from the inaugural KFC T20 Max competition that was staged between the Queensland Premier Cricket clubs last summer.
Designed as a pathway competition to the BBL and to provide more playing opportunities for Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat players, Johnson’s skilful efforts for Redlands saw him snapped up by the Heat to complete their squad.
After making his debut on 11 January 2023, Johnson went on to play 10 matches in succession as the Heat surged from fifth spot into the BBL decider against Perth, proving a formidable death bowling option for the team.
His breakout efforts in the BBL saw him subsequently rewarded by South Australia with recalls to their One Day and Sheffield Shield line-ups and culminated in selection for Australia A’s tour of New Zealand at the end of the season.
Johnson said he was delighted to have his BBL future secured.
“I’m very pleased to commit to the Heat for the next three BBL seasons as I certainly had an enjoyable and rewarding time with the team last season,’’ he said.
“I was only thinking the other day that a bit over 12 months ago, I was getting ready to come up to Brisbane to play some pre-season Premier Cricket T20 games and give myself a chance of potentially landing a BBL deal.”
“For that to happen, and then to go on to play in the matches we did was a dream come true.”
“We got close, and the prospect of seeing what we can achieve this summer is a very strong incentive for all of the Heat squad coming into BBL|13.”
The Heat finalised Johnson’s new deal last week during the inaugural retention week for BBL and WBBL teams.
Queensland Cricket General Manager – High Performance, Bennett King, said the retention week had helped the Heat make solid progress in its recruiting for the coming KFC BBL and Weber WBBL competitions.
“Extending Spencer’s contract after his performances during the BBL had been one of the priorities identified in our post-tournament review and we are delighted to sign him until BBL|15,’’ he said.
Today marks the opening of the BBL and WBBL signing and trade window for all clubs.
Clubs will be able to trade Draft picks in any of the four rounds of the Overseas Player Drafts. Each club will be required to have at least one selection in each round of the Drafts later this year.
Name of Author: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat are an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL), representing both men’s and women’s cricket. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, the Heat succeeded the Queensland Bulls, who played in the former KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The team wears a teal uniform and plays at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as The Gabba.
