Aus Open star Ash Barty inspires Sammy-Jo Johnson to compete with the best
Fired up by former Heat teammate Ash Barty’s brilliant Australian Open campaign, in-form Brisbane all-rounder Sammy-Jo Johnson is ready to represent her country on the world stage.
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Fired up by former Heat teammate Ash Barty’s brilliant Australian Open campaign, in-form Brisbane all-rounder Sammy-Jo Johnson is ready to represent her country on the world stage.
Johnson, 26, has gone from strength to strength as a strike bowler, while also taking her batting exploits to new heights in a breakout WBBL season.
Like Barty, who spent a season with the Heat in 2015 while taking a break from tennis, Johnson is hopeful that she will also have her chance on the international stage.
Johnson said her recent stint with the Australian A side under Captain Leah Poulton had boosted her confidence.
“I think it was a good realisation that I’m good enough to compete with the best in the country, if not the best in the world,” Johnson said.
“Every opportunity to put the Heat shirt on is an opportunity to hopefully show the Australian selectors what I can do.”
Speaking before Barty’s quarter-final clash in Melbourne last night, Johnson said she had been overcome by emotion watching the Queensland left-hander’s gutsy win over Maria Sharapova.
“Me and Brian, (Johnson’s partner), were at home the other night and we were screaming at the TV going: C’mon, go Ash, go Ash,” Johnson said.
On Saturday, Barty tweeted her support for the Heat after Haidee Birkett’s dramatic last-ball catch at the WBBL semi-final victory over Sydney Thunder.
“Birkyyyyyy!!!! What a catch! Unbelievable girls. So pumped,” Barty said.
Speaking about this Saturday’s grand final match against the Sydney Sixers, Johnson said her team members have what it takes to win.
“We’ve got the skillset to compete with anyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re an international player or an Australian player or just a domestic player, I think everyone’s worked their butt off.”
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Originally published as Aus Open star Ash Barty inspires Sammy-Jo Johnson to compete with the best
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