Former Australia speedster Mitchell Johnson has resigned with defending Big Bash League champions Perth Scorchers for the forthcoming season of the Big Bash League. The Perth-based franchise confirmed the news on Tuesday (October 24).
It will be Johnson’s second stint with the franchise after he played an integral role in helping them win the title next year. The left-arm pacer finished his debut season with the Scorchers, as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets to his name at an impressive average of 15.46 including the stunning spell of 3 for three against the Melbourne Stars in the semifinal.
Expressing his delight over rejoining the Scorchers, the pacer, on Tuesday, said:
“Returning for another season is a pretty easy decision when you’ve got a team like the Perth Scorchers. Not only have they played well over the years, but they’re also a great bunch of blokes.”
#VIDEO | Another one back on board! Welcome back, Mitch! ??? > #MADETOUGH pic.twitter.com/8B11Z847ZN
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) October 24, 2017
“If I’m honest and look at what happened last year – winning the BBL title with the Scorchers and then winning the Indian Premier League with the Mumbai Indians – I should probably retire on a high, but Twenty20 is more and more becoming a game that the older guys can play. I also feel like there’s some unfinished business,” he added.
Johnson’s spell of 3 for three is the most economical in the history of the tournament and is so far the only bowler to have delivered more than one maiden over in the same game. He did not concede a single run until the 18th ball in the semifinal which helped the Scorchers to win the game and beat Sydney Sixers in the final to lift the trophy.
Johnson further expressed his desire of helping the team defend the crown and said he cannot wait to bowl for the team again.
“I want to help the team go back-to-back and, given this is the last season at the WACA Ground, I really can’t wait to get back out there and enjoy the atmosphere the amazing crowd creates,” he said.
Perth Scorchers squad:
Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman