Mitchell Marsh ‘blown away by skill and pace’ of ‘incredible talent’ Spencer Johnson | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The “incredible talent” of uncapped fast bowler Spencer Johnson will make him one to watch on Australia’s next white-ball tour of South Africa, according to Mitchell Marsh, the nation’s new Twenty20 captain.
Pat Cummins, the one-day captain, is out with a fractured wrist but is anticipated to be back for the World Cup in October, so Marsh will captain Australia in three Twenty20 and five 50-over matches against South Africa beginning next week.
Left-arm quick Johnson, power-hitter Matthew Short and left-arm seamer Aaron Hardie have all earned maiden national call-ups.
Marsh said Johnson, 27, had hit form after a series of injuries earlier in his career.
“We haven’t seen much of him because he’s had a lot of injuries and he sort of burst onto the scene last year,” Marsh told reporters. “He’s an incredible talent.
“I faced him in a one-day final and was blown away by his skill and pace, so I think he’s going to feel right at home.”
Marsh said Short and Hardie will also have chances to stake claims for places at the 50-over World Cup in India.
When Australia arrives in India ahead of the World Cup, Cummins will assume command in the ODIs. Due to a wrist injury, Test vice-captain Steve Smith is also unable to travel to South Africa.
All-rounder Marsh claimed that while he has experience leading Western Australia, he won’t “try and reinvent the wheel” while in charge.
“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity. We’ll get through South Africa and see how we go, I am available to captain for as long as the team needs me,” he said.
(With AFP inputs)