Johnson Ruled Out of BBL, World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy

Australia fast bowler Spencer Johnson has suffered a major setback in his bid to feature at the 2025 T20 World Cup, after being ruled out of the entire Big Bash League (BBL) season due to a lingering back injury.

The 29-year-old left-arm quick has not played since the Indian Premier League, where he experienced back pain initially believed to be a recurrence of a previous disc issue. Further discomfort during training ahead of July’s T20I tour of the West Indies led to scans revealing a stress fracture, sidelining him for several months.

Johnson has since undergone an extensive rehabilitation program—including pilates and swimming—while waiting for the fracture to heal. Although an October scan raised hopes of a return in the new year, the Brisbane Heat confirmed on Wednesday that their title-winning bowler would miss the entire BBL season.

“Spencer continues to recover from a back injury and pleasingly, this is improving. However, the latest timeframe for his return to play does not enable him to participate in the BBL this season,” Heat CEO Terry Svenson said. “We’re all disappointed for Spencer but will provide him with ongoing support as he continues to recover.”

Australia begins its T20 World Cup campaign on February 11, leaving Johnson almost no chance of proving his fitness or pushing for selection in the final 15-man squad. Once viewed as a potential long-term successor to Mitchell Starc—who retired from T20Is—Johnson has seen opportunities slip away while Australia’s pace group of Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, and Xavier Bartlett has performed strongly. Pat Cummins may also return to the T20 side for the tournament, fitness permitting.

Johnson will continue his rehabilitation in Adelaide, where he is based and contracted domestically with South Australia. He has nominated for the upcoming IPL auction at the second-highest base price (150 lakh / AUD $252,957) and remains hopeful of being fit for the tournament if selected, having been released by Kolkata Knight Riders after last season.

“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.

In other BBL news, England left-arm quick Reece Topley has signed with the Sydney Thunder as an overseas replacement for Lockie Ferguson. Topley will feature in the first half of the season while Ferguson competes in the ILT20, before departing for the SA20 once Ferguson returns.