Richardson Clears Major Hurdle in Injury Comeback
West Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson has taken a significant step forward in his return from serious shoulder surgery, completing a demanding 20-over spell for Cricket Australia XI against England Lions at Lilac Hill. The match, which concluded on Monday, saw Richardson bowl with impressive control on a batter-friendly pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers.
Physical Preparation the Primary Focus
In his first red-ball appearance since November last year, Richardson delivered seven tight overs in the first innings to finish with 0-18, followed by 0-49 from 13 overs in the second innings. Most importantly, the 20-over workload caused no issues with his reconstructed shoulder, which underwent surgery in January.
"This game was a lot about physical preparation for me and making sure that we can get through," Richardson confirmed. "These sorts of games allow you to figure things out a little bit, especially on a flat wicket where things are often overly exaggerated."
The paceman acknowledged the importance of blowing out the cobwebs after an extended period away from first-class cricket, describing the session as valuable for identifying technical cues and correcting any bad habits developed during recovery.
Looking Ahead to Domestic and International Opportunities
Richardson now has his sights set on selection for the Australia A side that will face England Lions in a four-day match at Allan Border Field in Brisbane from December 5-8. Alternatively, he could feature for Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at the MCG from December 4-7.
"Hopefully there's an Aussie A opportunity up in Brisbane, but we'll have to wait and see which way they go there," Richardson said. "If it's not that, then we should be ready, if not very, very close to some Shield cricket."
While Test cricket remains the ultimate goal, Richardson recognizes the need to progress through the proper channels first. Australia's packed schedule featuring 20 Tests in 10 months following the current Ashes series provides ample motivation for his careful rehabilitation.
Surgery Decision Influenced by Long-Term Outlook
Richardson's January surgery addressed chronic instability in his right shoulder that affected his throwing and created vulnerability with every dive. The decision wasn't taken lightly, with the bowler consulting Test captain Pat Cummins about the long-term implications.
"One of the biggest things for me was speaking to Patty Cummins," Richardson revealed. "He just sort of said 'Would you regret not getting it done? And always wondering what could have been?'"
The surgery aimed not only to improve his cricket prospects but also to ensure better quality of life post-career. With Australia's current bowling depth tested by injuries to Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, Richardson's successful return could prove crucial for national selection in coming months.
Meanwhile, fellow West Australian Josh Inglis strengthened his Ashes claims with an unbeaten century against the England Lions, while young talent Teague Wyllie also impressed with scores of 71 and 20 not out.
