August 6, 2024

Jhye Richardson Included For Perth Scorchers’ Top End trip

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson, whose career has been hampered by injuries, is still in the plans of Australia’s selectors. Richardson is set to play his first match in Australia since January, as part of the Perth Scorchers’ squad for the Top End T20 tournament in Darwin. The Scorchers’ team mainly consists of younger players from the fringes of the BBL and Western Australia sides, along with some from the WA academy.

Richardson, who received a Cricket Australia contract in March, hasn’t played at home since suffering an injury during the BBL. He made one appearance for Delhi Capitals in the IPL earlier this year. Although he participated in an Australia training camp in Brisbane, he wasn’t selected for the upcoming tour of Scotland and England. The selectors are focusing on his long-term recovery, hoping he can overcome the injuries that have disrupted his international career. Last season, Richardson was close to returning for an ODI against the West Indies but was sidelined again by a side strain.

“He’s fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities,” national selector George Bailey said last month. “I think he’ll get opportunities again across the summer.”

Jhye Richardson will be joined by fellow fast bowler Matt Kelly in the Perth Scorchers squad, with both players returning from injuries that cut their seasons short. Batter Sam Fanning has been appointed captain for the tournament, while wicketkeeper-batter Baxter Holt, who recently moved to Western Australia from New South Wales, is also included in the squad.

“We also see this tournament as an opportunity for Jhye and Kells [Matt Kelly] to find touch in a competitive environment,” stand-in coach Tim MacDonald said. “They didn’t play a lot of cricket last year but they’re a big part of what we do at the Scorchers and WA, so we’re looking forward to seeing both of them back in action.”

The Top End T20 tournament will include teams from across Australia and abroad, featuring Northern Territory Strike, Pakistan A, ACT, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, and a Bangladesh High Performance side.

Ryan Harris Named South Australia’s New Men’s Head Coach

Former Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris has been officially named South Australia’s new men’s head coach, taking over the position left vacant by Jason Gillespie earlier this year. Harris, who began his playing career with South Australia, had been serving as interim head coach while the search for a permanent replacement was underway. He will now assume the role full-time as the team ramps up its pre-season preparations.

The Adelaide Strikers’ BBL head coach position, previously held by Gillespie as well, has yet to be filled. There are indications that the roles may be split, with Tim Paine expressing interest in leading the Strikers if the job is separated.

“I’m thrilled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of South Australia where I began my first-class playing journey more than 20 years ago,” Harris said. “Having worked closely with the team last summer and during our current pre-season training, I know what this squad is capable of and can’t wait to get started and build on the positive steps we saw last year.

“Under new captain Nathan McSweeney, there is a real sense of self-belief among the group and we’ll be working hard to ensure we hit the ground running with the new season rapidly approaching.”

South Australia’s Recent Struggles and Ryan Harris’ Coaching Journey

South Australia finished fifth in the Sheffield Shield last season, following a fourth-place finish in 2022-23, which ended a run of five consecutive last-place finishes. They also struggled in the Marsh Cup, finishing at the bottom after reaching the final the previous season. However, they might benefit from having internationals Travis Head and Alex Carey available early in the Sheffield Shield season in October.

After retiring, Ryan Harris transitioned into coaching, starting with the Australia men’s under-19 team at the 2018 and 2020 World Cups. He also gained experience in the IPL with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals and worked as a consultant for Australia’s men’s team under coach Justin Langer. In 2021, Harris was appointed Queensland Cricket’s pathway manager and later applied to be the head coach of Australia Women. Although he was not selected, he returned to South Australia as their bowling coach before being named head coach.