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WA quick Richardson unleashes chin music

3 minute read

WA paceman Jhye Richardson says he is feeling good as his comeback from a serious shoulder injury continues to gain pace.

JHYE RICHARDSON
JHYE RICHARDSON Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

Rising pace star Jhye Richardson has been encouraged by his return from a serious shoulder injury and Victoria's batsmen were dealt the chin music to prove it.

Richardson missed the World Cup and Ashes after suffering a badly dislocated shoulder while playing a one-day international for Australia in March.

The 23-year-old made his playing return last month in a series of one-day games for Western Australia, and has now made it through back-to-back Sheffield Shield games.

Richardson snared 3-58 and 3-40 in WA's Shield win over Victoria which concluded on Monday.

But it was some of his menacing bouncers that were of notable significance.

Richardson said bowling short and aggressive was a deliberate tactic he used to try to ruffle Victoria's batsmen.

"I think it's always difficult (for the batsman) when someone's bowling fast and wanting to bowl short," he said.

"It's always difficult to get in your head, especially when you're waiting to bat.

"It's not the nicest thing to come out to.

"It was just about getting up the batsmen and getting any edge over them we could."

Richardson burst onto the Test scene against Sri Lanka earlier this year and appeared destined for Ashes selection before his shoulder injury.

The right-hander now finds himself in a big battle to earn Test selection given the amount of fit bowlers Australia have to choose from.

Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, and Josh Hazlewood were the pace options used during the Ashes, and Richardson faces a fight to work his way up the queue.

Richardson said he wasn't letting the prospect of Test selection play on his mind.

"I'm trying to let it slip through as much as I can," he said.

"Obviously playing Test cricket is a big goal of mine to get there again.

"But the way I want to go about that is by having fun and bowling well."

Richardson will be back in action on Wednesday when WA host Victoria in the one-day domestic showdown at the WACA Ground.

The Bushrangers will be boosted by the return of Aaron Finch from a side strain.

But their front-line pace attack of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Scott Boland and Chris Tremain have been rested.

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