Mitchell Marsh 'excited' to unleash Spencer Johnson on South African surfaces

Australia’s new T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh opened up on the prospect of playing uncapped players Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha, among others, in the forthcoming tour of South Africa. Notably, the Aussies will square off against South Africa in a multi-format series which includes three T20Is followed by a five-match ODI series.

Ahead of the series against the Proteas, Marsh expects a string of uncapped players, including Spencer Johnson, Matthew Short, Tanveer Sangha and Aaron Hardie, to showcase their skills. Johnson, who garnered a lot of attention since his rapid rise in the game in the last few months, will look to grab the opportunity with both hands to create a lasting impression.

"We've got an extended squad, we've got some young guys coming in which is really exciting, seeing guys like Spencer Johnson, he'll definitely get a crack. I remember commentating a game and he was bowling 150[kph] and swinging them both ways. He's an incredible talent. I faced him in the one-day final at the WACA and was blown away by his skill and his pace. Think he's going to feel right at home in international cricket,” Marsh was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Think we'll definitely get a look at them both at some point throughout the tour. It's really nice to see guys rewarded for performance. Tanveer's (Sangha) had a few injury problems the last six months but we know what a superb talent he is. Think there's no doubt we are going to see them in Australian colours over the next few years and we'll get a look at them in South Africa,” he added.

Notably, Tanveer has earned some name in the domestic circuit for New South Wales and Sydney Thunder for his bowling exploits, whereas Johnson relished a solid campaign in the Sheffield Shield 2022/23 season, wherein he claimed 16 scalps in three outings, maintaining an economy of 3.54. 

In addition to this, he grabbed headlines during The Hundred 2023 match against Manchester Originals as he returned the most economical figures in the competition as he gave a solitary run in his 20 deliveries and racked up three wickets.