Australian speedster Spencer Johnson has expressed optimism about returning to play first-class cricket after progressing well during his recovery process. The left-arm pacer turns 31 in December 2026 and has missed playing red-ball cricket since November 2024. He was also ruled out of the entire 2025-26 domestic season due to a lumbar stress fracture.

Johnson has taken a significant step forward with his return by playing for South Australia's Second XI against Victoria's Second XI last week in Mildura. The Australian pace bowler bowled 29 overs in the match, taking 1/93. It was his first red-ball match in almost two years and the most amount of overs he has bowled in a match since he last played for the Sheffield Shield, bowling 45.

Spencer Johnson takes important step towards red-ball comeback

Johnson has been focusing on white-ball cricket in recent years and hasn't played first-class cricket since November 2024, when his fitness began to cause issues.

However, the left-armer has been a regular member of the Australian white-ball side in 2026. He played three IPL games in May before being selected in the Australian squad for their T20I tour of Bangladesh in June. Johnson then played two ODIs against Zimbabwe and two unofficial ODIs against India A.

He has also put up some career best numbers in List A cricket for South Australia in the middle of October. He has been selected in the 14-man Australia ODI squad ahead of the three-match series against England starting November 13. The pacer will also play in the five-match T20I series.

“I played a Second XI game last week, which was nice to get done. Got through that. It was a nice hit out, and I haven't played any red ball cricket in two years. So that's something I'm aiming for. Playing a bilateral one-day series as well, we've got three games in five or six days. That's probably as much as you're going to get in a red ball game. Hopefully we can do that,” Johnson told reporters in Adelaide (via ESPNcricinfo).

The 29 overs bowled at Mildura were very important for Johnson, but don't necessarily mean he's ready for a full Sheffield Shield season. South Australia are happy to help Johnson return to red ball cricket as long as they continue to see that his body can cope with the workload.

“I'm getting there. I guess that's been what I have been talking to the coaches about. I haven't played for 12 months but not going to feel how I would have felt two years ago. As I'm getting more in my game and getting into a bit of rhythm, hopefully I'll get there,” Johnson said.

Johnson was seen as a long-term replacement for Mitchell Starc in the Australian Test side but will need to prove he can be consistent in red-ball cricket.

Australia deal with multiple fast bowling injuries

Johnson is far from the only fast bowler in Australia looking to get back to full fitness. Australia have had a number of issues with their pace bowling in recent years. Nathan Ellis, Mahali Beardman, Lance Morris and Callum Vidler have all had injury- issues.

Ellis has missed the upcoming ODI series against England due to a side strain. However, he has been selected in the five-match T20I series.

Young gun Mahli Beardman from Western Australia has been selected in both squads. The youngster has had a stress fracture since February 2026, so his introduction to red-ball cricket at the end of last season has been impacted.

Lance Morris is also trying to make a comeback. The 28-year-old has been out of competitive cricket for 18 months after undergoing back surgery. The quick made a return to Sheffield Shield earlier this season but suffered a side strain and has been out of List A cricket.

Callum Vidler from Queensland is also making progress in his comeback after sustaining a stress fracture last summer. The youngster, who was part of Australia's Under-19 World Cup-winning team along with Beardman, has yet to play any Queensland Premier Cricket. It remains to be seen when Vidler will play again.

For Johnson, the main thing he will be focusing on is rhythm and staying fit between games. If he can handle the workload of red-ball cricket, then the next big step will be getting back into Sheffield Shield cricket.