Spencer Johnson

[Molehill]

I think a lot of England fans got their first view of Spencer Johnson last night - fair to say he kicked off with a bang. For those that haven't followed The Hundred, he took 3-1 in his 20 balls (19 dots!!). So is he going to be a limited overs specialist or will his body hold up for Tests?

 

[Chin Music]

I think a lot of England fans got their first view of Spencer Johnson last night - fair to say he kicked off with a bang. For those that haven't followed The Hundred, he took 3-1 in his 20 balls (19 dots!!). So is he going to be a limited overs specialist or will his body hold up for Tests?

I have a small thing to confess. I was actually at the game. Mate who has Surrey membership who wasn't going. My first visit to a H****** match. He was impressive, moving the ball at good pace. I read his profile the other day and he has played four matches and will be 28 years old later this year, but he's been selected for the forthcoming Aussie white ball tour of South Africa. Perhaps he might be a bolter for them.

Where I was a little suspicious is that Gus Atkinson was clocked at 94mph. He's sharp but I'm not quite convinced he was bowling that pace.

On to the game, Will Jacks scored at nearly 3 runs a ball and I wonder if he might make the World Cup squad. Klaassen was the most fluent of the batters on show and it looked a formidable score. Once the home team had taken a couple of wickets, the opposition really didn't look up for the fight. The atmosphere is nothing like it is for blast matches, there does seem to be a different family crowd, although it was fairly packed. I have to say I ended up leaving about 15-20 balls early because the game was so far over.

 

[Molehill]

I have a small thing to confess. I was actually at the game. Mate who has Surrey membership who wasn't going. My first visit to a H****** match. He was impressive, moving the ball at good pace. I read his profile the other day and he has played four matches and will be 28 years old later this year, but he's been selected for the forthcoming Aussie white ball tour of South Africa. Perhaps he might be a bolter for them.

Where I was a little suspicious is that Gus Atkinson was clocked at 94mph. He's sharp but I'm not quite convinced he was bowling that pace.

On to the game, Will Jacks scored at nearly 3 runs a ball and I wonder if he might make the World Cup squad. Klaassen was the most fluent of the batters on show and it looked a formidable score. Once the home team had taken a couple of wickets, the opposition really didn't look up for the fight. The atmosphere is nothing like it is for blast matches, there does seem to be a different family crowd, although it was fairly packed. I have to say I ended up leaving about 15-20 balls early because the game was so far over.

Judas!!

Yeah, I did wonder about the speed gun too. Johnson is not in the World Cup Squad so I guess he's unlikely to get added unless there's an injury to a seamer.

Jacks is interesting for the World Cup as his off spin would be a real bonus too. But does he get in ahead of Roy? I'm wondering when he last played a 50 over game (just realised he was on Bangladesh Tour earlier this year).

 

[Shady Slim]

stupid name, don't like how he looks.

 

[Chin Music]

Judas!!

Yeah, I did wonder about the speed gun too. Johnson is not in the World Cup Squad so I guess he's unlikely to get added unless there's an injury to a seamer.

Jacks is interesting for the World Cup as his off spin would be a real bonus too. But does he get in ahead of Roy? I'm wondering when he last played a 50 over game (just realised he was on Bangladesh Tour earlier this year).

Lol! Although he made a 50, I thought Roy was really scratchy for his first 15 balls or so. Nothing wrong with that when he catches up, but Jacks was just so fluent.

 

[TheJediBrah]

He's only played a handful of professional cricket matches. Looks like a good domestic-level performer but I really don't see him being much threat at the next level, if given a chance, which is unlikely in itself

 

[Fuller Pilch]

He played a 4-dayer for Aus A vs NZ A back in autumn, so perhaps the Aussie selectors are interested in him as a possible option.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Pornstar name

 

[Aidan11]

Could be a one-match wonder.

 

[Qlder]

Proof that "the hundred" ain't real cricket

 

[morgieb]

will his body hold up for Tests?

He has played a bit of red ball cricket. And has done really well so far.

He's already been picked for a T20 series in South Africa, so he's definitely in the frame. If he stays fit I'll reckon we'll see him debut in all formats within the next twelve months. Looks an exceptional talent.

 

[mackembhoy]

Proof that "the hundred" ain't real cricket

It's now his best T20 stats.

His performances in the Major League Cricket last month, an actual T20 competition however did not count towards his T20 stats.

ICC

 

[Prince EWS]

It's now his best T20 stats.

His performances in the Major League Cricket last month, an actual T20 competition however did not count towards his T20 stats.

ICC

I think it makes sense to count the Hundred as T20 when you consider that 40, 45, 50 and 60 over competitions have all counted for List A status.

But the ICC definitely has to do something about these decent quality T20 leagues outside full member nations not counting. MLC (in the US) and ILT20 (in the UAE) are faaar highly quality than your average Irish or Afghan domestic season.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Rule of thumb should be: if there are foreigners playing in the league then it should qualify as a T20

 

[Prince EWS]

Rule of thumb should be: if there are foreigners playing in the league then it should qualify as a T20

Overseas players play in Dutch and Scottish T20 as well though. Just like they do in English league cricket, Sydney first grade etc.

I reckon a better litmus Test might be franchise owners and a draft. Either that or just automatically count the ones in Test countries like they do now but consider adding others on a case by case basis.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Rule of thumb should be: if there are foreigners playing in the league then it should qualify as a T20

Almost every local t20 league in Melbourne has multiple overseas players per team though and I assume most others are the same

 

[social]

Johnson has looked international quality since his BBL debut and it quickly became obvious that he was going to be fast tracked

I know of 2 shield players who believe that he should play tests this summer

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Almost every local t20 league in Melbourne has multiple overseas players per team though and I assume most others are the same

This is interesting.

Back to the topic, T20 is one level below T20Is and as such should be in the realm of professionalism.

In the US, there is AAA baseball where the struggling (those recovering from injuries) Major League Baseball players go to get back to top level readiness.

 

[Prince EWS]

Almost every local t20 league in Melbourne has multiple overseas players per team though and I assume most others are the same

Yeah Sydney too. Cow's criteria is too lax. They should probably just so it discretionarily with some guidelines, but MLC and ILT20 not counting are definitely both ****ing stupid. I'd consider counting the Canadian one too but it's borderline.

 

[morgieb]

The thing with the MLC too is that a lot of the ‘locals’ played FC (and in many cases international) cricket for their home nations so it’s not like there’s a bunch of spuds making up the numbers either. Really it’s clearly a stronger competition than at the very least Ireland/Zimbabwe/Afghanistan.