Kane Richardson Pulls Out Of ODI, T20I Squads For India Series, Replacement Named

Australia fast-bowler Kane Richardson has pulled out of the ODI and the T20I squads for the upcoming home series against India. The pacer has decided against returning to action this month in order “to be with his wife and their newborn son,” a Cricket Australia release read.

Kane Richardson became a father for the first last week. In September, he had also skipped the Indian Premier League in the UAE to be with his pregnant wife in Australia. He also skipped a couple of Sheffield shield games. The right-arm pacer’s last appearance on the cricket field came on the tour of England in September.

“It was a difficult decision for Kane to make but one which has the complete support of the selectors and the entire playing squad,” Australia national selector Trevor Hohns said on Wednesday (November 18).

“Kane wanted to remain in Adelaide with Nyki and their newborn son. We will always support our players and their families; even more so given the challenging environment, we are in. We will miss what he brings to the team but completely understand and support his decision,” he added.

Replacement:

Kane Richardson has been replaced in Australia’s squad by Andrew Tye. The right-arm pacer was part of Australia’s tour of the UK in September and also plied his trade in the IPL where he played just one match for Rajasthan Royals. That one match was his only professional outing in the last 12 months after requiring elbow surgery in November last year.

“AJ is incredibly skilled in both forms of the short game. He impressed in the UK with his high work ethic and his positive energy around the squad,” Hohns said. “He is a great player to be able to call on.”

Meanwhile, the outbreak of COVID-19 in Adelaide has also seen three extra players being added to the Australian training group in Sydney given the border restrictions imposed by various states. In addition to Tye, Josh Philippe, who is quarantining after returning from the IPL and D’Arcy Short will also train with the group in Sydney before joining their respective Big Bash League franchises.

Australia ODI & T20 squad:

Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey , Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Absence Will Impact The Series; He Is Worth Two Players: Glenn McGrath

Also Read: Aaron Finch Was The Biggest Disappointment For RCB In IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra