The Perth Scorchers have finalised their Twenty20 Big Bash squad with the signing of Australia international Mitchell Johnson.
Aussie paceman snapped up ahead of inaugural event
The Perth Scorchers have finalised their Twenty20 Big Bash squad with the signing of Australia international Mitchell Johnson.
The paceman is the 18th and last player to sign with the Scorchers ahead of the inaugural event, having played 31 Twenty20 matches including 28 for Australia.
During those games, the 30-year-old has taken 38 wickets at 20.47, while his power-packed lower-order batting could prove particularly useful in this competition.
"I am delighted to be part of the Scorchers' inaugural season," said Johnson in a media release as he is in South Africa with the Australia Test squad.
"I still want to be part of the Australian T20 side and hope some strong personal performances will result in selection for next year's World Cup in Sri Lanka."
Scorchers coach Mickey Arthur expressed his excitement at having secured Johnson's services.
"It is no secret that Mitchell Johnson is one of the world's leading pacemen," Arthur said.
Impact
"His impact as a strike bowler is outstanding and I am thrilled to have him on board with the Perth Scorchers.
"In all likelihood we will see very little of Mitchell due to international commitments and I really hope that is the case, but while he is around the Scorchers he will be a brilliant acquisition both on and off the field."
Johnson, though, could be part of a massive Scorchers line-up for their first game on December 18 against the Hobart Hurricanes and he may play alongside fellow national players Michael Hussey and Shaun Marsh, along with former Australia opener Simon Katich.
Other big names in the squad include England's Paul Collingwood and South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs.
