Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson will miss the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India as he continues to recover from hamstring surgery. The 26-year-old, who has represented Australia in both Tests and ODIs, underwent surgery in March after suffering a setback with his hamstring injury. As a result, Richardson was also unable to participate in this year’s Indian Premier League and the recent Ashes campaign in England.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Richardson has been ruled out of a World Cup. Four years ago, he had to withdraw from the 2019 World Cup in England due to a shoulder injury. However, despite the setback, Richardson remains determined to return to top form and has the full support of the Australian selectors.
Chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed that Richardson’s recovery is progressing well, but he won’t be rushed back into action. Bailey stated, He’s really keen to get this right, and if that means taking a little bit of time at the start of this summer, then we’re happy to do that and Jhye’s happy to do that, so it’ll be a more calculated build for him as we go.
Richardson, who received a national contract earlier this year, showcased his talent during the most recent Ashes campaign, taking a five-wicket haul in a convincing victory over England. He was also in outstanding form during the last season’s Big Bash League, recording impressive figures of 15 wickets at an average of 12.46 in just seven matches.
While it is undoubtedly disappointing for Richardson to miss out on the Cricket World Cup, he remains optimistic about his future in the sport. Taking to Instagram in March, he expressed his frustration but also his determination to bounce back stronger, saying, Frustrated, undoubtedly, but excited to see where the future lies and ready to give it my everything to get back on the park and play really good cricket.
As Australia prepares for the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa, Richardson’s absence opens up opportunities for other rising talents. Tanveer Sangha and Aaron Hardie were surprising inclusions in the ODI squad, while Spencer Johnson and Matthew Short received their first call-ups for the T20 series.
Despite the setback, Jhye Richardson’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges and resilience required in professional cricket. As he continues his recovery, Australian cricket fans eagerly await his return to the field, hoping he can once again showcase his exceptional skills and contribute to the national team’s success.
