A versatile cricketer, R. Johnstone has overcome many challenges and doubts to prove himself a worthy adversary on the field. Always willing to improve himself, he is a team-player who has often battled through the pain barrier to hurl himself and his team over the line.

His first ever senior game in 2019 saw him battle a season-long shin splint injury - sustained in pre-season - and saw him play a heroic part, drawing the game when all hope was seemingly lost, batting for many long overs with the chairman and then 4th XI captain Majeeb Abbas, with players such as Masum Ahmed participating in the game. This was a surprise for Reece, having always found the forward defence impossible to master before that point, not remembering a time he had ever played the defensive shot successfully before that game.

The season before had seen him adopt a skiddy quick pace approach, due to a wrist injury - sustained during a history GCSE exam in 2017 - which had led to his natural leg-spinners no longer turning. The injury had also seen him adapt and begin working on his left arm leg-spinners, making him a rare breed in cricket history, in not only being a left arm leggie, but also being able to bowl with both hands. This talent - gained from childhood - unfortunately found discouragement from many who came across it, leading Reece to rarely use it, although when he did he often found wickets coming it's way.

Reece had long enjoyed fielding, and in the seniors found his favourite position was gully, even despite sustaining a nasty scar from using his reflexes to stop a certain boundary on the bone-dry grass at King's House in 2020. He puts in 150% to fielding during games, even despite being injured. He managed 2 run outs in a game the same year, getting both from cover, with one runout for each hand to measure.

While his game had improved, a lack of opportunities in league cricket stopped R. Johnstone's progression, growing frustrated as he would often find himself batting at 9 to 11 and not bowling while often being expected to score most of the game in addition to umpiring, despite having shown his batting worth on multiple occasions by this point, as well as taking multiple 3 wicket hauls in sunday friendly games while opening the bowling.

Eventually circumstances changed, and Reece found himself in charge of the 4th XI in 2024. By this time he had been suffering with extensive injuries - including a torn meniscus and dislocated kneecaps - which had left him needing to rest for long periods in-between games. As a result of the injuries, his batting form wasn't up to scratch in 2024 due to his balance being hampered by the injury. He took charge of a depleted 4th XI that often found itself playing league cricket with only 8 players on most occasions. Despite the various challenges, he saw this as an opportunity to ensure that the youngsters coming through SH's ranks were able to be given extensive chances, chances that he had never been afforded himself during his career. Despite the inevitable losses as a result of the 8 players, many of the players went on to play in the higher teams throughout the season, with at least one player making the 1st XI and impressing in the side.

Time will tell what Reece Johnstone's legacy will be, but he hopes it will be a good one. He also became the Secretary in 2024, a role with it's own challenges, but one he relishes, constantly advocating for what he sees as best for the club.

Squad

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giordon burt