Travis Head says Renegades spearhead Kane Richardson’s absence will help but Strikers batting must improve
Why Travis Head backs speedster Kane Richardson to push big three Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for a starting spot against India.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Rashid Khan’s hat-trick
- Jake Weatherald’s World Twenty20 vision
- Key candidate withdraws from Crows head of leadership race
Adelaide Strikers skipper Travis Head rates Kane Richardson a premier white ball operator, noting the speedster’s absence is a double positive against Melbourne Renegades on Sunday.
Renegades spearhead Richardson excelled taking 10 wickets before leaving last Thursday for Australia’s three-match, one-day tour of India with skipper Aaron Finch.
Richardson bowled the Renegades to an inaugural BBL championship last season with 23 scalps, two summers after exiting the Strikers camp.
Watch every single KFC BBL match LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO with FOX CRICKET’s unmatched commentary line-up. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“He has been their stand out performer. It’s nice I don’t have to face him. There has been pressure on Richo,” said Head with the champion winless in its title defence.
“He is one the best death bowlers in the country and seen that in BBL the way he has swung the ball, takes the hardest overs, showed how crucial he is.”
Preferred to Josh Hazlewood for Australia’s 2019 World Cup campaign, Richardson impressed with 3/47 against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Croweater “Richo” will vy with Hazlewood for a start against India in Mumbai on Tuesday alongside Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
“It is fantastic seeing him play for Australia, going in fantastic form, bowling really well with confidence. Hopefully he has a really big series and then it is on to the World Cup for the T20s. He is someone I hope is a walk up start,” said Head of Redbacks teammate Richardson.
Averaging an impressive 42 after 17 Tests, Head returns to command the Strikers with equal leading run-scorer Alex Carey (266) in India. Adelaide will be spared Richardson but left-hander Head says its batting must improve without keeper-batsman Carey.
“Hitting the ball beautifully, as good as anyone in the country. It is a really important finishing role for him in that middle order for Australia and did it really well in the World Cup,” said Head of Carey.
“I will be in the middle order, really looking forward to getting back in there and playing a big role. It is very important I come back in, hit the ground running, get back on the winner’s list.
“I want to be a leader, win games of cricket and that hunger to be the person to win the games has always been there.”
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan’s hat-trick couldn’t prevent Adelaide’s third consecutive defeat last Wednesday in Adelaide against Sydney Sixers due to a below par 135 total. Failing to bat out 20 overs won’t be tolerated by Test vice-captain Head who doesn’t want to see lanky tailenders Harry Conway or Billy Stanlake at the crease against the Renegades.
“We bowled really well, just missed a trick in the last 10 overs with the bat,” said Head.
“It is a bit hard when Harry and Billy are out there batting at No. 10 and No. 11, we are not going to win too many games.”
Head pinpointed “class’ veteran Shaun Marsh – with 298 runs at 37 this season – as the Renegade to shut down.
“He is so talented, has an unbelievable T20 record, we have to come up with plans to keep him out of the game,” said Head of Marsh.