Kane Richardson believes he will be at peak power for hostile series in South Africa
Why Kane Richardson and Australia will never be more prepared to take on South Africa in a hotly anticipated, post-Sandpaper-gate return.
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Kane Richardson expects Australia to ‘cop it’ in its post-sandpaper gate return to South Africa but feels in the career-best condition to mix it with Quinton de Kock’s men.
South Africa has turned Australian pacemen into one-day cannon-fodder on past tours with seamer Mick Lewis leaking a record 0-113 at Johannesburg in 2006 as the host posted 9-438. The presence in South Africa of 2019-20 Allan Border Medallist David Warner and the prolific Steve Smith for the first time since serving ball-tampering bans adds spice to a challenge that “Richo” is relishing.
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“I watched a bit of the South Africa v England games there and it was a packed house and rocking so assume it will be hostile but nothing that we didn’t hear in the UK for the World Cup,” Richardson told The Advertiser.
Three months of abuse from English crowds were artfully absorbed by a Justin Langer unit that retained the Ashes.
“Hopefully it is respectful but we are expecting to cop it,” Richardson said.
The Proteas swept Australia 5-0 in their 2016 one-day series across the Rainbow Nation. Richardson recalled the tough international initiations handed to South Australian teammates Daniel Worrall (0/78) and Joe Mennie (0/82) in Durban and Johannesburg respectively.
Richardson – picked for the 2019 World Cup ahead of Josh Hazlewood – feels at the peak of his powers in a pace triumvirate with Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins.
“They say late twenties that is your prime,” Richardson said.
“Whether or not I am first picked I feel like I know my game now. It is just going out there and trying to perform every time.
“I haven’t played in South Africa so it will be new experience.
“I know some of the grounds are quite small and the ball flies.
“I remember that tour Joe and Franky Worrall got picked on a few years ago and waking up and seeing the scores.
“I am excited to get another opportunity to stay in and around the Aussie team.”
Confronting India on the subcontinent can become a fast bowler’s nadir but Richardson managed a decisive 2/43 in Australia’s series opening win in Mumbai last month. Virat Kohli’s men hit back for a 2-1 triumph. Bowling on strips that assist Richardson’s swing and bag of tricks in South Africa will make a pleasant change.
“That is as tough as one-day cricket gets in the world against their batsmen in their conditions,” Richardson said.
“Everything gets easier after you have played those blokes in India.”
Richardson says Marcus Stoinis was seriously unlucky to be overlooked for Australia’s T20 squad in South Africa.
Stoinis was named BBL player of the tournament for 705 runs at an average of 54 opening.
Skipper Aaron Finch, Warner and Steve Smith form an impenetrable Australian top order.
“He is definitely unlucky, there is so much quality in that top order. Mitch Marsh coming in is because of the way he finished innings for Perth,” Richardson said.
Richardson has moved on from the incident with good mate Stoinis where the hulk-like all-rounder muttered a heat of the moment slur at the Melbourne Renegades spearhead.
“He is one of the more competitive blokes I know and I am always into him,” Richardson said.
“He didn’t mean it, I didn’t take offence.
“It was out of character, a strange night. It was just a weird feeling after.
“It was just two competitors going at it and he crossed the mark.
“Everyone learnt from that.”
Richardson will embark on a fifth IPL campaign on March 30 with Royal Challengers Bangalore shelling out $816,000 for the death bowling and powerplay specialist.
Bangalore is stocked with glamour performers including Kohli, AB de Villiers and Finch but is yet to win an IPL title.
“It is pretty star studded, nice to share a change-room with those guys but there is pressure because they haven’t won it,” he said.
“With that playing list you would think they would be close to some success. Hopefully I can get over there and be part of a really good team.”
There will be dinners shared with vegan convert Kohli who Richardson has forged a close bond both as teammate and foe. Kohli is often misunderstood away from the crease notes Richardson.
“He is a really nice guy and it always good to have a guy like that,” said Richardson, who is a vegan along with quirky Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
“He has friends in a lot of places. He is always in the gym and training like a beast. He is pretty relaxed but is a guy who just likes to win.”
Richardson embraces pressure to deliver for a talent-laden Bangalore franchise and reinforce T20 credentials to coach Justin Langer months out from a home World Cup.
“There is a lot of opportunities before the World Cup,” Richardson said.
“It’s nice to keep playing. The IPL is a tough competition and tough to get picked up in. If you keep performing in those competitions then JL and the selectors will take notice.”