Brisbane Heat pace bowler Spencer Johnson will miss this summer’s KFC Big Bash League with a back injury.
Johnson, who made his debut for the Heat in 2023 and was player of the final in their championship win in 2024, has been recovering from a back complaint that has prevented him from playing any cricket so far this summer.
Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson said the Heat and its many fans wished Johnson a speedy recovery and would look forward to seeing him return next season.
“Spencer continues to recover from a back injury and pleasingly, this is improving,’’ he said.
“However, the latest timeframe 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.”
“He’s fought back admirably from injury earlier in his career and I have no doubt he will again be dedicated to making a full recovery in the future,’’ Svenson said.
The Australian T20 representative thanked the medical and High Performance staff from Queensland Cricket, the SACA and Cricket Australia for their backing during his time on the sideline.
“I’ve had plenty of expert support from everyone involved in the process and I am very confident that I will be back and doing what I love as soon as possible,” Johnson said.
“I know the Heat fans will be 100 percent behind the squad again this season and I will be cheering on with them from the sidelines,” he said.
The Heat will decide on a replacement player closer to their opening game of the BBL, against the Melbourne Renegades in Geelong on 15 December.
BBL|15 Brisbane Heat squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pak), Tom Alsop (Eng), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Lachlan Hearne (NEW), Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro (NZ), Michael Neser, Oli Patterson (NEW), Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen (NEW), Jack Wildermuth.