Jhye Richardson to play his first match in Australia since January 2024
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Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson is set to play his first professional match in Australia since January 2024. Richardson last played on Australian soil in a Big Bash League 2023-24 match between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat.
He also represented Delhi Capitals in one IPL 2024 match in April where he returned figures of 0-40 in four overs against Mumbai Indians. He will now play for Perth Scorchers in the Top End T20 tournament in Darwin.
Jhye Richardson to play his first match in Australia since January 2024
Jhye Richardson has been selected in the Perth Scorchers' squad for the Top End T20 tournament. He is the most noteworthy inclusion in the Perth Scorchers' squad for the tournament.
The squad largely consists of young players, who are on the periphery of the BBL and Western Australia teams. Some players are from the Western Australia academy as well.
Richardson was offered a Cricket Australia (CA) contract in March 2024. He got injured during the BBL 2024 midway and was ruled out of the tournament. He is already a part of Australia's training camp going on in Brisbane currently.
However, he has not been selected in Australia's squad for the tour of Scotland and England in September. The selectors are still hopeful of him overcoming his injury concerns and making a comeback into the national side.
"He's fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities. I think he'll get opportunities again across the summer," George Bailey, Australia's chairman of selectors, had said last month.
Matt Kelly also named in the squad alongside Jhye Richardson
Meanwhile, alongside Jhye Richardson, West Australia and Perth Scorchers fast bowler Matt Kelly is another notable name in the squad. Kelly too had to withdraw from the tournament midway because of an injury.
"We also see this tournament as an opportunity for Jhye and Kells [Matt Kelly] to find touch in a competitive environment. They didn't play a lot of cricket last year but they're a big part of what we do at the Scorchers and WA, so we're looking forward to seeing both of them back in action," stand-in coach Tim MacDonald said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Sam Fanning has been chosen as the captain of the team. The Top End T20 tournament also consists of teams like Pakistan A, Northern Territory Strike, Melbourne Renegades, ACT, Bangladesh High-Performance side, and Melbourne Stars.
"We also see this tournament as an opportunity for Jhye and Kells [Matt Kelly] to find touch in a competitive environment," stand-in coach Tim MacDonald said. "They didn't play a lot of cricket last year but they're a big part of what we do at the Scorchers and WA, so we're looking forward to seeing both of them back in action."
Jhye Richardson's international record
Richardson was due to be selected for the ODIs against West Indies last year but suffered a side strain only to be ruled out of contention.
The fast bowler's career has been hampered by injuries which has limited the number of internationals played by him so far.
The 27-year-old made his international debut way back in 2017 in a T20I match against Sri Lanka at Geelong. But he has played just 18 T20Is in seven years and picked up 19 wickets.
Richardson has an impressive record in ODIs having picked up 27 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 29.37. Surprisingly, he has played three Tests as well and picked up 11 wickets at an average of 22.09
