Jhye Richardson ruled out of ODI Tour of India; doubtful for IPL due to injury
Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI tour of India and his IPL stint with Mumbai Indians due to a hamstring injury recurrence.
Richardson ruled out of ODI series
The injury resurfaced during his first grade game back since he initially suffered the injury during the BBL. This injury setback puts his appearance in this year’s IPL in doubt.
Richardson had not played any cricket since straining his hamstring on January 4. The injury was initially diagnosed as minor, and it was hoped he would return for the BBL finals, but it took him two full months to return to play. He missed Perth Scorchers’ BBL title run and has not played any Marsh Cup or Sheffield Shield cricket since.
ODI Tour of India
Despite his absence from competitive cricket, he was selected in Australia’s 16-man ODI squad for the three-match series in India that starts on March 17 in Mumbai.
However, after only managing four overs for Fremantle, where he did take 3 for 5, before leaving the field and heading for a scan, it became clear that he would not be fit enough to play in the upcoming ODI tour of India.
Nathan Ellis, who has played three ODIs, has been called up as Richardson’s replacement. Ellis made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in July 2021. He has played only three matches and has taken five wickets at an average of 15.60. However, he has been very impressive in the domestic circuit and has been in great form recently.
Richardson’s injury woes
Richardson has had a tough time with soft-tissue injuries over the past two seasons independent of the major shoulder injury he suffered in 2019. He took a maiden Test five-wicket haul against England in Adelaide in December 2021, his first Test since injuring his right shoulder.
However, a nagging heel injury ruled him out of the next Test, and he has not played Test cricket since. He played in the T20I and ODI series on the tour of Sri Lanka in June of 2022, but then had an interrupted pre-season for WA ahead of the domestic summer starting in October with a number of soft tissue concerns limiting him to just two Sheffield Shield games and one Marsh Cup game prior to the BBL.
The future of Richardson
Richardson’s recent hamstring injury recurrence, which resulted in his withdrawal from the ODI tour of India, has cast doubts over his participation in this year’s IPL, where he is signed up with Mumbai Indians.
He had a good season with Punjab Kings last year, where he took 16 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 20.56. Mumbai Indians will miss Richardson’s services if he is unable to participate in the IPL.
Richardson’s recent injury setback has dashed his hopes of playing in the upcoming ODI series against India, and his IPL stint with Mumbai Indians is in doubt.
