Jhye Richardson harbours desire to ‘play Test cricket again’

Jhye Richardson’s international career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries. The right‑arm quick, who turns 30 on Sunday (September 20), has been named in Australia A’s squad for the two unofficial Tests against India A. Richardson underwent shoulder surgery that sidelined him for nearly 12 months, and he was recently omitted from Cricket Australia’s central contracts.

Despite the setbacks, Richardson says he wants to enjoy his cricket again and is determined to return to top‑level red‑ball cricket.

“It [turning 30] is quite scary knowing careers can end abruptly,” Richardson told Cricinfo on the sidelines of a BBL event in Chennai. “But I still feel strong in myself and I’m enjoying the game and playing for my country. Senior bowler, junior - whatever it is - doesn’t bother me too much as long as I’m enjoying my cricket.”

“That's always the plan - to play Test cricket,” he said. “I’d love to play Test cricket. Again, I’ve played a few games now, had a taste of Test cricket, but with shoulder issues and other issues, I haven’t played as much as I would have liked.

“That [Border‑Gavaskar Trophy] is always in the background. My mentality this year is just to be where my feet are. That’s in Chennai right now and then in Puducherry for two four‑day games against India A. Hopefully get through those two games and ultimately if I perform well, I can play Test cricket again.”

Richardson also had the chance to work alongside his Ashes rival Joe Root during a recent county stint with Yorkshire. He famously trapped Root lbw at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test last year.

“Joe is amazing off the field,” Richardson said. “He’s one of the best players in the world. But you know, some of the conversations that we have off the field don’t regard cricket whatsoever. He’s very intelligent, and he thinks a lot about what he says.

“So it was a lot of fun with Joe and I’d love to go back next year. It was a great experience, obviously playing against him in the Ashes and then getting to know him a bit more off the field.”