Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson is keeping his Ashes hopes alive following a long injury layoff and multipleshoulder surgeries. The 28-year-old bowled for the first time on Tuesday since his last shoulder surgery in January, which was his third on the same shoulder to fix repeated dislocations. He has not played a Test since he took a five-wicket haul in the 2021 Ashes in Adelaide.
Richardson has battled several setbacks, which includeshamstring surgery in 2024 and mental health struggles. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, the Aussie quick said, “Some were good, some were bad, and some hit the side net and things like that. I was a little bit rusty but it’s a good sign. We’re hitting the milestones that we planned out at the start and while it has been really slow, things are looking good. As nice as it would be (to play in the Ashes), there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.”
He is targeting a return for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield but admitted there is no fixed date yet. “Shield cricket is definitely on the radar…” Richardson said. “I’m hoping there will be some Shield cricket at some stage and hopefully some cricket for Fremantle and some second XI cricket among that as well.”
Richardson said white-ball cricket would likely be part of his preparation. “I think white-ball cricket is always good to build the loads for red-ball cricket.”
While his fielding is still a question due to past shoulder issues, the latest surgery has given him hope. “The way that it’s presenting at the moment is that it is stable… things are looking good,” Richardson said.
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