BGT 2024-25: Richardson Thrilled to Rejoin Australia Test Team for Final Matches Against India
Click to start listening
Hobart, Dec 22 (NationPress) Australia pacer Jhye Richardson is thrilled about his return to the Test team for the concluding two matches against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Richardson has been included in the squad as an additional pace option following a calf injury that has sidelined Josh Hazlewood for the series. He expressed that he was somewhat taken aback by his selection for Australia’s squad for the Boxing Day Test but feels “really good” about the chance to make an international comeback against India.
The 28-year-old bowler, who played for the Perth Scorchers on Saturday in Hobart, will miss Monday night’s game against the Melbourne Renegades to focus on his potential Test return. Along with Richardson, teenage opener Sam Konstas has also been called up in Australia’s 15-player squad for the remainder of the series.
“Even a week ago, I was like, ‘I’m not really thinking about that just yet’,” Richardson mentioned on Fox Cricket during the Scorchers' match against the Hobart Hurricanes.
“I just wanted to stay on the park and play Big Bash cricket and ensure that my body was okay, while ramping up (the workloads) and adhering to the processes we have in place. But here we are, and if there’s an opportunity, then it’s obviously very exciting.”
In the recent loss to the Hobart Hurricanes, Richardson went wicketless, which was a departure from his impressive performance in their BBL season opener where he took 3-19 against the Melbourne Stars, earning the Player of the Match title.
His surprise at being selected arose from his gradual reintegration into long-form cricket this domestic season. Despite limited chances, Richardson has consistently proven himself as one of Australia’s premier bowlers when healthy.
Just a week prior, Richardson had remarked to reporters that it was “unrealistic” to think about an international return, as his main focus was on achieving consistent match fitness. He has participated in only one four-day game this season but made a significant impact, taking two wickets in his opening over during Western Australia's pink-ball Shield match against South Australia in Adelaide last month.
Richardson’s confidence increased after successfully returning to bowl following a dislocated shoulder that occurred while celebrating one of his wickets.
Although he has played two T20 matches for the Scorchers since his first-class appearance, Richardson stated that transitioning to Test cricket would not be challenging, as much of his summer training has been centered on conditioning for the longer format.
“I’d probably argue that I’ve had less white-ball practice leading into this Big Bash. Having played a couple of second XI games and a Shield game, we’ve really been prioritizing building (my bowling) loads to prepare my body for four-day cricket,” Richardson explained.
“So I’ll likely find it easier to revert to red-ball cricket just from a preparation standpoint.”
His return has been meticulously managed following a series of injuries, including a side strain midway through last season’s Big Bash and hamstring surgery nine months ago. This summer, he has participated in four of WA’s five One-Day Cup matches, two second XI games, and one Shield match before sitting out their most recent Shield game, which WA lost to NSW.
