Australia’s national cricket team has suffered a major blow ahead of its series against Scotland and England. Star left-arm spinner Spencer Johnson has been ruled out of the entire UK tour, where the team will play T20Is against Scotland and ODIs against England.

Johnson suffered an injury during The Hundred 2024 tournament. The left-arm spinner suffered a side strain while playing for Oval Invincibles in the league. When he faced an injury, things got worse for him as it was not the best finish for him in the league.

Spencer Johnson did not have the kind of performance he would have wanted in The Hundred. The left-handed bowler had a poor showing with the ball in the tournament. His best performance came in the match against Northern Superchargers, where he returned with figures of 1 for 10 from his 20 deliveries and gave the opposition a hard time.

The absence of Spencer Johnson for the tour of Scotland and England will be a huge blow for the Australian national cricket team. He has been one of the finest talents in Australian cricket and with Mitchell Starc coming to the end of his career, he is seen as the veteran player’s replacement.

Spencer Johnson has played five T20Is and one ODI since making his debut against South Africa last year for the Australian National Cricket Team. The left-hander made a name for himself playing in the Big Bash League last year for the Brisbane Heat. Since then, he has been with the Australian national team in the white-ball format.

Johnson will be keen to get back before the domestic circuit begins in Australia, where he represents South Australia. After the upcoming tour, Australia will take on Pakistan in a three-match tie against Pakistan in mid-November.

Johnson will now target the series against Pakistan for a comeback. Since the frontline players are likely to be rested for the series due to the Test series against India, the young spinner is expected to be present for the team.

Sean Abbott replaces Spencer Johnson in Australian squad for UK tour

Following Spencer Johnson’s withdrawal from the upcoming tour, Australia have named Sean Abbott as his replacement. The fast bowler only featured in the five-match ODI series against England but will now also play against Scotland.

Sean Abbott, who has played 15 T20Is for Australia, is the leading wicket-taker in BBL history with 165. He has also featured in the Hundred, where he has taken nine wickets in seven matches for Birmingham Phoenix. He would like to continue that form for Australia.

Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis are the other front-line players in the T20I squad, while Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis are the all-rounders. Mitchell Starc has been rested from the T20Is against Scotland and England but will play ODIs. Pat Cummins will miss the tour, while Josh Hazlewood is part of both squads.

Australia’s updated squad for T20I series against Scotland and England

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa