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Surrey sign Aussie paceman Spencer Johnson for Blast

By AAP Newswire

May 7, 2024

Surrey have announced the signing of Australia fast bowler Spencer Johnson for the first eight matches of this year's Vitality Blast.

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With Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Reece Topley and Chris Jordan on England duty at next month's T20 World Cup, Surrey have reinforced their Blast squad with the signing of the South Australia and Brisbane Heat left-armer.

The 28-year-old, currently at the Indian Premier League with Gujarat Titans and overlooked by Australia for the T20 World Cup, has already made waves in south London after his extraordinary haul of three wickets for just one run in 20 balls on his debut in The Hundred for Oval Invincibles last August.

"I'm very excited to join Surrey and I have some fantastic memories from playing at the Kia Oval last year," said Johnson, who is set to make his debut for the club against Hampshire on May 30.

Johnson, who is scheduled to wrap up his stint against Glamorgan on June 21, joins compatriot and fellow quick Sean Abbott among Surrey's overseas options.

"Spencer is a highly talented cricketer who has shown his skills in white-ball cricket at the highest levels," said Surrey director of men's cricket Alec Stewart.

"He will add strength to our bowling unit in the first part of the group stages when we have four players away at the World Cup with England."

Surrey were scheduled to have Aaron Hardie for the entire Blast group stage but Cricket Australia pulled the plug on the deal with a view to managing the allrounder's workload.