Sammy-Jo Johnson - seize the day
Sydney Cricket Club | October 30, 2024
Sammy-Jo Johnson has represented several domestic and international T20 franchises and performed with distinction. She has had the honour of Captaining the NSW breakers.
Sammy-Jo is a superb club member and mentor to the junior players at Sydney CC
What year were you born?
1992
Tell us about your cricket journey.
I’ve played for a few clubs over the years as my family moved around a lot.
My first junior cricket team was the U12s Boys team for St Patrick's Cricket Club in Albury.
I remember being the only girl in the team, but I never felt like an outsider, was always made feel a part of the team and I absolutely loved playing with the boys. My other junior clubs were Wodonga Raiders U14s and then we moved back to Lismore, and I played for Clunes Cricket Club in the U16s boys’ team.
My senior clubs were East Lismore Cricket Club in 3rd grade men then I moved across to Marist Brothers Cricket Club where I played most of my senior cricket across 4ths to 2nd grade men.
My senior women's club debut in Brisbane for Western Suburbs District Cricket Club where I played a few seasons until I moved to the Gold Coast Dolphins. I also debut in Sydney Premier Grade Cricket in high school for Northern Districts but since coming down to NSW full time I've been with the Tigers since.
My representative teams including QLD Fire, Brisbane Heat, NSW Breakers, Sydney Thunder. Also played for the Trent Rockets in the inaugural year of The Hundred in England.
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If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
Right arm pace bowler who likes to whack a few when given the opportunity.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I love getting in the fight and being involved in the high-pressure moments of the game. Give me a 10 off 6 balls as a bowler scenario any day of the week.
And the people, you meet some many walks of life along the journey and I'm very grateful for the people I've met along the way.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
Very hard to pick just one. A couple that are up right up there:
· The 3 x WBBL title wins back-to-back I was a part of in WBBL 04/05/06
· Playing a match and opening the batting at Lord's in The Hundred
· Representing Australia A on a tour to India in 2018
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Brett Lee
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
Shabnim Ismail or Lea Tahuhu
Shabnim Ismail
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
I think she is also one of the most underrated spinners, Molly Strano.
Self-described bowler of "straight breaks" but her line & length and variation in pace has made her one of the most successful spinners in WBBL and WNCL. She is also a ripper of a human.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Grace Harris' 100 at the Gabba vs Stars in WBBL 04, which was well supported by Beth Mooney who helped her at the end get over the line by keeping her on strike and hitting a six straight down the ground to bring it up.
Grace's hitting was unbelievable. We won by 10 wickets that day.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
I've played with some very good keepers over the years. Jodie Fields, Beth Mooney and one fellow Tiger Alyssa Healy.
Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?
Eva Ragg I think she is extremely talented and has a great attitude, I love the way she plays the game for such a young player.
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Kira Churchland and Nell Bryson-Smith. Both are always in the fight and apply their crafts very well in the pressure situations.
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader?
Grit and Authenticity
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
Luke Combs (got tickets for his next tour to Aus ??)
Who’s considered the biggest pest at your club?
Nell Bryson-Smith for some of her awful but hilarious changeroom chat.
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
Forster- Tuncurry, NSW. Love the fishing and it’s a very chilled coastal town.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
I've had some wonderful coaches, captains and team mates that have all played major roles.
Someone from a playing and captaincy/leadership point of view is Kirby Short. She helped me develop an understanding of the game tactically and instilled a lot of belief in me and it certainly has helped me become the cricketer and leader I am today.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
Perspective allows me to get through challenging times, I've dealt with a lot of adversity growing up and it's certainly helped me be able to deal with on field and cricket related challenges with a bit more ease because if I look at cricket in the context on life there is so much more too life than just cricket so having that approach keeps me grounded.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
Tough question but I'll say Carl Barron, Caroline Buchanan and Nedd Brockman
Carl Barron
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Drag Racing. When I'm not at cricket I'm at the racetrack spending as much time behind the wheel as possible.
What do you do for work?
I currently work at Crown Forklifts as a Service Technician (Forklift Mechanic) which I'm absolutely love. So grateful for the opportunity to have an employer that offers me flexibility with my cricket and have the chance to learn new skills for life after cricket.
Do you have a favourite quote?
Carpe Diem - "Sieze The Day"
What are your goals for the next season?
To take every opportunity presented to me in whatever uniform I am wearing. And just enjoy the game I love playing.
Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play first class cricket?
Representing my state means everything to me. Growing up all I ever dreamt of was to play cricket for NSW and to get that opportunity it means the world to me.
I always say "it's not a right, it's a privilege" to wear a Baggy Blue and never take being a professional athlete for granted because not everyone gets the chance.
