While Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins grabbed the headlines for shattering records in the IPL auction, fellow Aussie Spencer Johnson was watching on nervously at home as his hopes of getting picked dwindled.
The 28-year-old left-arm paceman, who had a base price of $89,000, was eventually scooped up by powerhouses the Gujarat Titans in a $1.78m deal to continue his fairytale journey in the past year.
Who is Spencer Johnson? Big Bash rookie rakes in $1.78 million in IPL auction
After suffering multiple injuries which curtailed his promising early career, Johnson burst onto the scene for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League in January.
MORE: Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc's record bids at IPL auction detailed
The South-Australian born bowler has since enjoyed a meteoric rise on the domestic and international scene where he has represented his country at T20 and one-day level, while starring for the Oval Invisibles in the Hundred tournament in England.
His figures of 3-1 off 20 balls vaulting him into the record books and capturing the imagination of the cricketing world which ultimately led to him becoming a millionaire overnight during Tuesday’s auction.
"I never thought I’d be in this situation," Johnson admitted the morning after.
"It’s a moment for my whole family. They’ve been there the whole way, so for them to experience it as well, it’s pretty special."
The spearhead, who has overcome a number of potentially career-ending injuries, began the previous BBL campaign as a relative unknown.
Yet his calmness when bowling at the death and rapid pace off the deck quickly alerted everyone to his undoubted talent.
"It’s always nice to see guys like the Brett Lees and [Ricky] Pontings, who you’ve idolised, name you as a successor to Starc," Johnson told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Starcy is someone that I’ve idolised for so long, someone who I’ve probably modelled my game around, so...hopefully I’m ready to take over whenever he’s ready to finish up."
Aussie bowler Josh Hazlewood also praised Johnson, who has set his sights on taking over the mantle from Starc in the short forms of the game while also dreaming of claiming a Baggy Green in the future.
"He just looks so natural with his action and pretty easy pace that he gets," Hazlewood said.
"Where’s he been all these years?
"It’s a bit of a shame that we haven’t seen him a bit earlier, but he’s probably feeling that as well. He’s been outstanding the last six to twelve months."
Spencer Johnson career stats
| Format | Appearances | Wickets |
| First Class | 4 | 20 |
| List A | 7 | 6 |
| T20 | 20 | 17 |
| T20I | 2 | 2 |
| ODI | 1 | 0 |
Who will Spencer Johnson play for in the IPL?
The Gurjarat Titans, who stormed to the IPL title in 2022, held off competition from the Delhi Capitals to secure Johnson's signature.
The Titans have plenty of talent to call upon alongside Johnson with seven other players bought during the auction in Dubai.
The Aussie will feature as part of a bowling attack that includes the likes of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan.
Johnson will also be joined in the squad by former Australia captain and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and New Zealand star Kane Williamson.
Spencer Johnson injury record
Johnson has had to bide his time before making his name and earning the big bucks. Despite making his state debut over six years ago, up until 18 months ago, he had bowled just 23 overs at professional level.
Following his debut against Victoria, Johnson was sidelined for an extended period when scans revealed a stress fracture in his ankle.
After being confined to the casualty ward for almost three years, his contract with the Redbacks wasn’t renewed.
"I had a couple of surgeries, and after the first surgery, the doctor said, ‘you’ll be lucky to play again’. And then after the second one, he said, ‘you’ll be lucky to run again’," Johnson said.
Since representing South Australia at Under-19 level, Johnson has battled through elbow, ankle, back and hamstring injuries.
"I think perspective for me is I look back to where I was 12 months ago – even 18 months ago, not contracted," Johnson continued.
"Any bad days you do have...you can always look back and think ‘I could be here, now I’m here’. It’s made me who I am as a player, and as a person."
