Pace ace Jhye Richardson has put the energetic high fives on ice for the time being as he plots a slow and steady path back to Test cricket.
Richardson showcased his awesome abilities on Sunday night when he claimed 3-19 to lead the Perth Scorchers to a six-wicket victory over the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium in the BBL season-opener.
The 28-year-old is one of the best bowlers in the country, but injuries mean he has played just three Tests since his debut in 2019 and barely any red-ball cricket in recent years.
Richardson’s troubles began just months after his Test debut when he dislocated his right shoulder while fielding in an ODI clash with Pakistan in Sharjah.
Multiple surgeries got Richardson back to bowling, but the shoulder remains susceptible to popping out.
Richardson can no longer throw the ball like normal.
To get around this, he bowls the ball in when he’s fielding near the boundary, or underarms it if he’s in close.
But the precarious nature of his shoulder came to the fore again during his Sheffield Shield return last month when he suffered a dislocation while animatedly high-fiving a teammate after claiming a wicket.
Richardson left the field to pop the shoulder back into place, but in a positive sign he was able to return and continue bowling.
The match was Richardson’s first Shield appearance in a year, and he’s aiming to play more red-ball cricket following the BBL season.
Richardson’s end goal is to make it back to Test cricket, but he knows it won’t be a quick process.
“International cricket’s always the goal,” Richardson said.
“I think it’s nice to have goals, but I’m obviously not there at the moment, so it would be unrealistic for me to think about international cricket.
“What’s realistic is what’s in front of me right now, and that’s playing Big Bash cricket and domestic cricket for WA.
“But, yeah, Test cricket is obviously the goal. I’d love to play Test cricket again. I think it’s difficult having had a taste of it and then having that sort of ripped away.”
Part of the plan to return to the Test arena is protecting his right shoulder as best as possible.
That may mean that high fives using his right hand are put on ice.
“I think I just got caught in a funny position over there in Adelaide, probably just got a little bit too excited,” Richardson said of his high-five shoulder dislocation.
“I was pretty happy with the ball that I bowled, and just got a bit too excited and decided to slap a few hands a little bit too hard.
“I mean, it does sound silly, but … maybe we’ll stick with the low fives instead of the high fives!
“But that’s just another thing that we deal with. I’ve dealt enough with my shoulder over the last few years. It’s just another thing to add to the basket.”
The Scorchers will be back in action on Saturday when they take on the Hurricanes in Hobart.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au