The Ashes: Jhye Richardson aware Adelaide fifer doesn't guarantee a spot in the next Test

Australia continued their dominance in the 2021 Ashes as Richardson took 5-42 in the final innings to dismiss England for 192 while chasing a mammoth target of 467.

Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson; Credit: Twitter/@classic_mojito
By Sreejith C R | Dec 21, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Jye Richardson’s return to cricket couldn’t have been better, taking five wickets in the fourth innings to help Australia win the second Ashes Test and take a 2-0 lead in the series. The 25-year-old came into the side with Michael Nesser to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who was ruled out after being adjudged a close contact of a COVID-19 case. The Personnel changes made no difference as the hosts won the match by 275 runs. However, Richardson is aware that a Test match fifer may not guarantee him a place in the playing XI in the third Test in  Melbourne.

Australia continued their dominance in the 2021 Ashes as Richardson took 5-42 in the final innings to dismiss England for 192 while chasing a mammoth target of 467. The Aussies had thrashed England by 9 wickets in the first Test in Brisbane courtesy of some impressive bowling performance from the likes of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.

Cummins and Hazlewood ranked first and fourth in the world rankings, will return to the squad for the Boxing Day Test on Thursday and Richardson was philosophical about retaining his place in the side at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“The beauty of Australian cricket at the moment is we’ve got fast bowling stocks for days,” the relatively diminutive paceman told reporters.

“I think that’s a wonderful problem for the selectors … to have. Whatever happens, happens.

“I had an unfortunate first innings and then bowled a little bit better second innings. I’m happy to go either way. As long as we’re winning, then that’s all we can ask for.”

Richardson was playing his first Test match in nearly three years following a shoulder dislocation that kept him out of the 2019 World cup and the Ashes series that followed, and multiple surgeries and thereafter a prolonged rehabilitation.

Came back stronger to take 5-wickets in the 4th innings

On return, the 25-year-old bowled pretty well on the second night, beating England opener Haseeb Hameed’s edge on a number of occasions and bowling three consecutive maidens. However, on the third afternoon he leaked more than four runs per over. He went for 78 runs without taking a wicket in 19 overs.

Richardson came back stronger in the fourth innings and his ability to get the ball to skid on the deteriorating Adelaide surface played a big role in ending England’s spirited resistance.

The right-arm pacer dismissed both openers, took the priced wicket of Jos Buttler who batted for 207 deliveries, bowled England’s top scorer Chris Woakes (44) and then completed his fifer with No.10 batsman James Anderson’s wicket.

“If my job is to hit the stumps, then that’s what I’m going to try and do,” he said.

“Potentially being a little bit skiddier on wickets that are up-and-down, that may be an advantage.

“Somewhere like (Sydney Cricket Ground) as well could be an advantage on day four and five when it starts to go up-and-down,” he added. “Having those variations in the team is very important.”





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