Jhye Richardson, who last played a Test during the 2021 Ashes in Adelaide, will be back with the squad at the very same venue this time.
Australia named a 15-man squad for the Adelaide Test with no surprises. As expected, only Pat Cummins has been added to the team that played the previous Test. But an interesting update arrived well after the squad announcement—Jhye Richardson will be with the team in Adelaide despite not being part of the main squad.
Richardson last played a Test four years ago during the Ashes, also in Adelaide. In that match, he tore through England’s batting lineup, taking 5 wickets. Now he returns to the same ground, and although he may not play, he will finally feel the atmosphere of Test cricket again after a long break.
Cricket Australia said in a statement that Richardson will train with the team in Adelaide and work closely with the national coaching and medical staff.
Even though he won’t be playing this Test, the message is clear. He is very much in Australia’s plans for the remaining Ashes Tests or for another point in the near future.
Despite taking 5 wickets in his last Test, Richardson couldn’t play again mainly due to injuries. Considered one of the most talented pacers of his generation, his career has repeatedly been halted by injuries over the years. The 29-year-old has so far played 3 Tests, 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is. Whenever he has had an opportunity, he has usually performed well—but injuries have kept him sidelined.
Cricket Australia has never given up on him. They have always followed a proper process to bring him back. Earlier this year, in January, he underwent major shoulder surgery. After a long rehabilitation, he returned to action last month in a match for Cricket Australia XI against England Lions, although it wasn’t an official fixture.
He returned to official cricket last week, playing for Australia A in Brisbane against England Lions. As expected, he impressed—taking four wickets in the first innings and another in the second. That performance earned him this opportunity to train with the national side.
The Adelaide Test begins next Wednesday. Australia will retain the Ashes if they can avoid defeat in this match.
