Despite being dropped from the central contract list, selectors' chairman George Bailey insisted that fast bowler Jhye Richardson remains a key part of Australia's plans in all three formats and that he could even tour Sri Lanka in June.
After returning to Test cricket for the first time since early 2019, Richardson was the most noteworthy exclusion from the 20-man selection. In his final Test bowling innings against England in Adelaide, he grabbed 5 for 42 to help Australia win on the final day.
However, due to Scott Boland's sudden development, he was rested from the following Test in Melbourne due to shin pain and did not return for the rest of the series.
Richardson played the final two of Australia's five T20Is against Sri Lanka in February, but was passed over for the Pakistan tour in order to play for Western Australia. After injuring his hamstring in the Marsh Cup final, he was forced to miss the Sheffield Shield final.
Richardson's loss was disappointing, but the selectors still regard him as an important part of Australia's plans for the next 12 months, according to Bailey.
Bailey commented that one may say he was unlucky to have missed it. They admire his versatility in all three formats. And over the next 12 months, they are simply looking forward to his availability rising and him continuing to strengthen his resilience and capacity to play a lot more cricket.
Bailey continued, Matthew Wade and Kane Richardson are in the same boat, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up later this year.
He commented that they are the candidates they expect to play for Australia in the not-too-distant future. They'll almost certainly all be chosen for their next travelling party. Wade is still their first-choice wicketkeeper on their T20 team, and the World Cup is approaching quickly. Richardson is in a similar situation, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching.
Wade was not selected to travel to Pakistan because there was just one T20I and he is not part of Australia's ODI plans moving forward. Josh Inglis was retained in Australia's one-off T20I against Pakistan in Lahore.
Inglis won the contract ahead of Wade because he is currently the reserve wicketkeeper in all three forms, supporting Alex Carey in Test and ODI cricket.
After returning to Test cricket for the first time since early 2019, Richardson was the most noteworthy exclusion from the 20-man selection. In his final Test bowling innings against England in Adelaide, he grabbed 5 for 42 to help Australia win on the final day.
However, due to Scott Boland's sudden development, he was rested from the following Test in Melbourne due to shin pain and did not return for the rest of the series.
Richardson played the final two of Australia's five T20Is against Sri Lanka in February, but was passed over for the Pakistan tour in order to play for Western Australia. After injuring his hamstring in the Marsh Cup final, he was forced to miss the Sheffield Shield final.
Richardson's loss was disappointing, but the selectors still regard him as an important part of Australia's plans for the next 12 months, according to Bailey.
Bailey commented that one may say he was unlucky to have missed it. They admire his versatility in all three formats. And over the next 12 months, they are simply looking forward to his availability rising and him continuing to strengthen his resilience and capacity to play a lot more cricket.
Bailey continued, Matthew Wade and Kane Richardson are in the same boat, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up later this year.
He commented that they are the candidates they expect to play for Australia in the not-too-distant future. They'll almost certainly all be chosen for their next travelling party. Wade is still their first-choice wicketkeeper on their T20 team, and the World Cup is approaching quickly. Richardson is in a similar situation, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching.
Wade was not selected to travel to Pakistan because there was just one T20I and he is not part of Australia's ODI plans moving forward. Josh Inglis was retained in Australia's one-off T20I against Pakistan in Lahore.
Inglis won the contract ahead of Wade because he is currently the reserve wicketkeeper in all three forms, supporting Alex Carey in Test and ODI cricket.