Australian coach Justin Langer thought seamer Kane Richardson was done at international level

Justin Langer reveals he thought a T20 shocker against England would be the end of Kane Richardson’s international career but is happy the determined Redbacks star has proved him wrong.

Australia's Kane Richardson, right, celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne, left, caught by Australian keeper Alex Carey in Southampton. Picture: Matt Dunham.

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Justin Langer loves fighters and seamer Kane Richardson won over the Australian coach following a career-worst display against England at Edgbaston last June.

Richardson endured a horror show with the ball and bat, recording Australia’s second most expensive Twenty20 figures (0/59), paid for a costly miss off Jason Roy and was dismissed first ball in a 28-run loss.

Australia’s Kane Richardson, right, celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's captain Dimuth Karunaratne in a World Cup warm-up match. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Dunham

“I have been very proud of the progress of the players and I’m thinking about someone like Kane Richardson, who I sat with at after the T20 game last year and I never thought he’d play cricket for Australia again,” revealed Langer ahead of Saturday’s World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol.

Richardson conceded 23 off his first over and was collateral damage as Jos Buttler cracked England’s fastest T20I half century in 22 balls. Despondent Richardson grassed Roy on 27 allowing the opener to make 44 from 26 balls.

“I didn’t think he had the bottle and we talked about it but how he has come on and you see he is having a red-hot dip here, everything he does, whether it’s at training, he’s talked about it to the group, he doesn’t want to play scared cricket, he wants to be an Australian cricketer,” said Langer.

“I have great respect for him for that.”

The T20 loss to England ended a limited overs tour that saw Australia spanked 5-0 in the 50-over segment.

However “Richo” responded by topping the BBL wicket-takers list with 24 at 17 in Melbourne Renegades 2018-19 championship side. Jhye Richardson’s shoulder injury opened a World Cup spot for the South Australian speedster with selectors wanting a proven ‘death’ bowler.

“He has great skills, is a beautiful athlete. He can field well, catch well,” said Langer.