Is Jhye Richardson Ready for the Clash Against England Lions?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jhye Richardson has been named in the Cricket Australia XI.
- The match is against the England Lions.
- Richardson's recovery is crucial for his future in the Ashes.
- The match starts on the same day as the first Test at Perth Stadium.
- Richardson is one of the few experienced players in a young squad.
New Delhi, Nov 14 (NationPress) Fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been included in the 12-member Cricket Australia XI for the upcoming four-day match against the England Lions, marking a significant step in efforts to prepare him for the later rounds of the Ashes series.
This encounter will take place at Lilac Hill and is set to commence on the same date as the first Australia-England Test at Perth Stadium on November 21.
Richardson, with 36 international appearances under his belt, has faced ongoing injury challenges in recent years, making his inclusion in the squad announced on Friday noteworthy.
Since his impressive five-wicket haul in Adelaide during the 2021/22 Ashes, Richardson has played only four first-class matches over the past four years and underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year.
If his recovery continues on track, he might compete against the England Lions for Australia A at Allan Border Field starting December 5, just a day after the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, providing him another chance to demonstrate his fitness for the five-match series.
One additional player from Australia's Test squad, either Brendan Doggett or Josh Inglis, will be added to the lineup. Besides Richardson, Jake Fraser-McGurk is the only other player with international experience in a squad led by Mackenzie Harvey.
Eight players in the team are aged 24 or younger, including 2024 U19 World Cup winners Charlie Anderson and Aidan O'Connor. Meanwhile, England’s main Test squad is also set to face the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra between the first and second Ashes Tests.
Cricket Australia XI squad: Mackenzie Harvey (c), Charlie Anderson, Liam Blackford, Xavier Crone, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron McClure, Aidan O’Connor, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Jhye Richardson, Jake Scott, Jack Sinfield, Teague Wyllie (one Test squad member to be added).