Kane Richardson out of India one-day tour as injury scourge afflicts South Australian pacemen

In-form Kane Richardson’s exit from Australia’s limited overs tour of the West Indies extends the late-season injury scourge afflicting front-line Redbacks pacemen.

Australian cricketer Kane Richardson bats before sustaining a side strain in the nets during a practice session at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on February 21, 2019. Picture: NOAH SEELAM/AFP).

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In-form Kane Richardson’s exit from Australia’s limited-overs tour of India extends the late season injury scourge afflicting front-line Redbacks pacemen.

Richardson, 28, hurt a side muscle batting during a net session in Hyderabad ahead of Australia's T20 series opener against India.

Richardson boarded a plane to the subcontinent hours after featuring in Melbourne Renegades’ BBL final win against Melbourne Stars at Marvel Stadium on February 17.

In-form Kane Richardson led the Renegades to their first BBL title but is on his way home from India because of injury. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Richardson bowled several balls in the nets on Tuesday in Bangalore before retiring from training and has flown home. Western Australia’s Andrew Tye replaced Richardson in Australian squad while key duo Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood were rested.

“Kane reported some left side pain at training prior to the opening T20I in Vizag,” said Australia team physio David Beakley with focus again placed on a hectic playing schedule.

“Unfortunately he has not recovered well enough in order to play a further part in the tour.

We will monitor his progress over the coming weeks.”

Richardson was central to the Renegades’ BBL championship with a competition-high 24 wickets at 17.

Richardson is now in doubt for the Redbacks’ final Sheffield Shield game of the season against Victoria at Karen Rolton Oval.

Former Test paceman Chadd Sayers strained a hamstring in SA’s loss to Tasmania this week and is out of SA’s clash against Western Australia starting on Sunday in Perth. SA will hope Daniel Worrall can stay fit replacing fellow Ashes hopeful Chadd Sayers.

Worrall will front in Perth with Joe Mennie and left-armer Nick Winter having been restricted to three first-class games this seasons by successive back injuries.

Allrounder Luke Robins will make his first-class debut against the Warriors with Cam Valente dropped. Robins, whose maiden one-day scalp was Glenn Maxwell last September, is one of three Northern Territory products in the Redbacks squad along with Tom Andrews and opener Jake Weatherald

Leg-spinner Lloyd Pope is still coming to grips with the Dukes ball and a revised action prompting the recall of left-arm spinner Andrews.

State selectors resisted pressure to recast batting who endured a 6-3, second innings collapse that paved Tasmania’s six-wicket win in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Selectors have three games to trial future talent with the winless Redbacks anchored to the bottom of the Sheffield Shield table.