Johnson stakes claim to Starc's left-arm mantle after Australia A series win in Puducherry

From injury-plagued path to Starc's heir apparent

At 30, Spencer Johnson knows his route to the top has been anything but straightforward. As Mitchell Starc moves toward the back end of his career, the Australia left-arm pacer is building himself up to take over the mantle from the veteran southpaw — though Johnson's own journey has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries.

Series-winning spell in Puducherry

Johnson's latest assignment with Australia 'A' in Puducherry offered a glimpse of what he can bring to the table. On a surface that offered little encouragement to fast bowlers, Johnson extracted disconcerting bounce and troubled India A's batters, finishing with five wickets across his two appearances.

His match-winning spell of 3-35 in the second unofficial ODI earned him the Player of the Match award and helped Australia 'A' clinch the series.

IPL grounding pays dividends

Having represented Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026, Johnson was familiar with the conditions. The paceman was drafted in by CSK last season when Nathan Ellis got injured.

The bowler remains grateful for an unforgettable interaction with MS Dhoni, who once invited younger players to his room to discuss his career and approach to the game.

"He was very relaxed and approachable. He made me feel like home. It is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life," Spencer told TOI.

In 2024, he was bought by Gujarat Titans for Rs 10 crores, but he finished with only four wickets in five games.

"Regardless of the price tag, there is always pressure because a team has put its faith in you. You want to perform and repay that trust. The IPL is the best tournament in the world, and the more exposure I get to playing in India against the best batters and bowlers, the better I hope my performances will become," he said.

Conquering the heat

The transition from Australia's chilly winter to India's oppressive heat presented another test.

"We were training in temperatures of four or five degrees, almost bowling in jumpers. Coming here has been a completely different experience. These are probably the toughest conditions (Puducherry) we have encountered, so getting through them should hold us in good stead for the rest of the season," he said.

Battle for consistency

Consistency, however, remains his biggest challenge. His international opportunities have been sporadic, with a back stress fracture forcing him to spend 12 months on the sidelines.

"The medical staff in Australia always have a plan in place. When I return, the focus is on making sure I am physically stronger than before. There is always a silver lining, and I want to play as much cricket as possible without interruptions," Spencer said.