Jhye Richardson Surprised By Boxing Day Test Selection
The fourth Test between India and Australia will kick off on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia has made some major changes in their squad for the last two Tests. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the series due to a calf injury. In his place, Australia has included Jhye Richardson in the squad as an extra fast bowler. After joining the team, Richardson was very happy and admitted that he was a little surprised by Australia's inclusion in the Boxing Day Test, but he is very happy with his return.
Apart from this Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Big Bash League is also being played in Australia, where Richardson is seen playing for the Perth Scorchers. He will not play in the match against the Melbourne Renegades to join the Test team. The 28-year-old fast bowler and young opener Sam Konstas are the two new faces who have been included in Australia's 15-man squad.
"A week ago, I was thinking 'I'm not thinking about it right now'," Richardson said on Fox Cricket during Saturday's match between the Scorchers and the Hurricanes. I just wanted to be on the field and play Big Bash cricket and make sure my body is in good shape.
Richardson was unable to take wickets in the Scorchers' recent defeat against the Hobart Hurricanes, but in the first match of the BBL, he performed brilliantly well by taking 3 wickets for 19 runs against the Melbourne Stars and won the Player of the Match award. On his selection, the fast bowler was surprised that he is returning to the longest format after a long time during this domestic season. Whenever Richardson has had the opportunity, he has consistently performed well for Australia.
Just a week ago, Richardson had told reporters that it was unrealistic to consider a return to the international arena, with his main focus being on achieving consistent match fitness. He has played just one four-day game this season. During Western Australia's pink-ball Shield match against South Australia in Adelaide last month, he took two wickets in his first over to make an immediate impression on the Australian selectors. Richardson said going into Test cricket won't be a tough one, as most of his summer training has been focused on conditioning for the longest format.