Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

Jhye Richardson made a strong start to the Australian cricket season, picking up a five-wicket haul for Western Australia against New South Wales in Sydney on Sunday [22 September]. The fast bowler took 5/63, and had figures of 3/37 off his first eight overs to mark a successful return to top flight action.

Last month, Richardson also took the field for Perth Scorchers in the Top End T20 tournament in Darwin. He played three matches and got through well.

Jhye Richardson looking to put injury issues behind him

Richardson has had numerous hamstring injuries over the past few years. He had four such setbacks since making his Test debut in 2019, with his latest mishap in June 2022. He has also had other issues, including a side strain that ruled him out of the Big Bash League (BBL) in January.

Speaking to AAP in August, Richardson confirmed he’s gone back to the same run up when he made his Test debut after tinkering with it in the attempt to avoid injuries.

“But I am back to my old run up now, understanding that what I had done previously for 10 years had probably somewhat worked,” Richardson said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“I probably just felt a bit rushed. I didn’t feel as balanced. Everyone speaks about rhythm and feeling balanced and strong at the crease. And the ultimate goal is to perform, right? I have put a lot of work into my hamstring, so everyone is comfortable with the fact I can go back to what has worked previously.”

Western Australia (WA) play their second match of the 2024/25 Australian One Day Cup against South Australia (SA) on Tuesday 24th September. Given the match kicks off less than 48 hours after their defeat to New South Wales (NSW), WA may opt to rest Richardson.

Selector George Bailey said Richardson is a chance of playing for Australia during the 2024/25 season.

“He’s fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities,” Bailey said back in July. “I think he’ll get opportunities again across the summer.”

Lance Morris set to return for Western Australia

Fellow fast bowler Lance Morris was named in WA’s squad for the first two matches of the season. He did not feature against NSW, and will likely do so against SA.

“Basically it’s ok to start playing one-day cricket, so [I might play] one of the first two white-ball games,” he told ESPNcricinfo before the season as he works slowly towards a return to red-ball cricket.

“There will be a little bit of a process in building up and getting ready for Shield cricket. But I think all going well, I should be available for round one or round two. I’m not too sure exactly yet, but we’re not far off.”

Morris has been out of action since February after suffering a side strain during the second ODI against West Indies. He was then ruled out of the Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament and Australia’s tour of the UK due a ‘hot spot’ that was found in his back during routine scans in the winter.

“It’s been a bit frustrating,” Morris said. “I guess you call it a stress fracture, but when we scan it, it doesn’t have the natural characteristics of a usual stress fracture. So there was some confusion at first around exactly what it was.

“The tricky one for me was I didn’t actually have any back pain when I was bowling. I get monthly check-ins with an MRI on my back to make sure things are heading in the right direction. And it’s been clearing up… healing, so that’s a positive.”