Breakout star Johnson set for state return in top two clash

Breakout Big Bash star Spencer Johnson is set to play his first match for his native South Australia in almost two years after being named in the Redbacks squad to face Western Australia on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old left-armer has made three previous Marsh One-Day Cup appearances, collecting a wicket in each, with his last match in late March 2021.

It's been a stop-start career for Johnson since his Redbacks debut in 2017 with numerous injury setbacks, including spending two years on the sidelines in his early 20s with ankle stress fractures.

But after finally getting his body right he burst onto the scene for the Brisbane Heat in KFC BBL|12, grabbing his opportunity with both hands to take nine wickets in 10 matches and show superb skills in the death overs to play a key part in the club's late run to the season decider.

"He's been rewarded for some performances in our second XI and at club level and obviously he had a great opportunity with the Heat," SA head coach Jason Gillespie said today.

"He's got a bit of confidence and then when confidence marries up with opportunity, we saw him perform quite well.

"It was a great experience for him (with the Heat) and he's come back here full of beans and energy, which is great.

"It's been many years for Spencer, he's certainly had his ups and downs and that's why we're all so delighted for him to get the opportunity at Brisbane and perform well.

"He's earnt this (recall) through a lot of hard work, sacrifice and effort."

Also in the Redbacks squad is Daniel Drew, who is in line to make his List A debut after smashing a maiden double century during SA's upset Marsh Sheffield Shield win over WA earlier this week.

WA have included star allrounder Marcus Stoinis for his first Marsh Cup appearance since November 2019 after the 33-year-old made a half century in his first Shield match in almost three years.

Joel Paris has also been included after being managed during the Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia, replacing fellow seamer Matthew Kelly who has been rested.

Veteran Andrew Tye will miss the clash to join Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.

Charlie Stobo and Corey Rocchiccioli are the other additions to the squad alongside Stoinis from WA's last 50-over fixture, with off-spinner Rocchiccioli set to make his List A debut if selected.

Tomorrow's clash at the Adelaide Oval pits two of the Marsh Cup's form sides against each other with victory to WA securing hosting rights of the final on March 8.

South Australia pushed the ladder leaders all the way in their last match in November with WA sneaking home by two wickets at the WACA on the back of 85 from Josh Inglis.

SA squad: Wes Agar, Jake Carder, Daniel Drew, Henry Hunt (c), Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen (wk), Liam Scott, Henry Thornton

WA squad: Ashton Turner (c), Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Cameron Gannon, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, D'Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Marcus Stoinis