Len Johnson (cricketer)

Johnson gained recognition representing Queensland in the "Sheffield Shield" competition for Australian troops at Bougainville, in the Solomons, at the end of World War II.^[1] After the war he played for Queensland in the official Sheffield Shield from 1946–47 to 1952–53.

He toured New Zealand with an Australian second XI in 1950, but despite his talent he only played one Test: against India at Melbourne in the final Test of the 1947–48 series. He scored 25 not out and took 3 for 66 and 3 for 8.^[2] Earlier in the season he had taken seven wickets in Queensland's victory over the Indian team.^[3] It is thought that Sam Loxton won preference over him in selection for the 1948 tour of England.^[1]

He achieved his best bowling figures of 7 for 43 twice: against New South Wales in 1949–50,^[4] and against Western Australia in 1951–52.^[5] He ended his playing career with a tally of 171 wickets in 43 Shield matches for Queensland, a state record until it was overtaken by Ross Duncan and Peter Allan.

• Media related to Len Johnson (cricketer) at Wikimedia Commons
• Len Johnson at ESPNcricinfo