Fitting end to fifteen year cricket journey

JUGGLING multiple jobs while rising through the ranks as a professional cricketer was all in a day’s work for Lismore product Sammy-Jo Johnson.

The 32-year-old has officially retired from top grade cricket in a career which started in 2011 after she made her state debut for Queensland.

She was still in Year 12 at Blue Hills College, Goonellabah at the time and had been playing against the men in the Far North Coast competition.

Her dedication and support from the local branch of the Lord’s Taverners helped put her in the NSW pathway system for state cricket.

She juggled work and study while trying to find a full-time spot in state cricket.

She eventually travelled India with the Australia A team in 2018, while working in the automobile industry where she further developed her passion for car racing

“I’m excited for the next chapter. Becoming a mechanic has always been a dream of mine, and now I’ll be one step closer to moving into that full time,” Johnson said.

“I’m also looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, and of course, racing at Sydney Dragway.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Cricket NSW for the pathways they provided me as a junior. The underage and school programs were vital to my development and set me up for senior cricket.”

Johnson played some of her best cricket with the Queensland Fire and won back-to-back titles with the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash.

She returned to play for NSW in 2020 and captained the Breakers on 17 occasions.

Alstonville product Georgia Redmayne was captain of Queensland in one of the games.

The pair, along with Bangalow cricketer Angela Reakes, have paved the way for the next crop of FNC females to play professionally.

Johnson’s final match saw her part of the NSW team who won the 2024-2025 Women’s National Cricket League final.

“I do have to thank Queensland for the opportunity they afforded me to debut in WNCL and WBBL, but wearing the Baggy Blue was always the dream,” she said.

“Leading the side has been one of my greatest honours and even through the challenges, I was always well supported and loved every moment.”