Richardson ready for home summer after escaping carnage of Australia’s lowest one-day ebb

SOUTH Australia’s Kane Richardson says he has emerged stronger from the national team’s disastrous limited overs tour of England.

KANE Richardson feels emboldened having escaped the worst of the carnage during Australia’s lowest one-day ebb against England’s blade-runners.

Justin Langer’s Australia endured an unprecedented 5-0 series whitewash against England in June with a greenhorn attack missing Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins under siege.

“It was as tough as I have experienced in international cricket in terms of power and skill. India in India is tough but the thing in England is the grounds are so small and wickets so good there is no where to hide,” Richardson told The Advertiser.

Australia's Kane Richardson celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow for 42 during the second ODI in Cardiff in June. Picture:AFP

England’s fabulous five Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan have redefined one-day batting with relentless pursuit of bowlers through an innings.

Buttler averaged 137, Hales 58, Roy and Bairstow 60 in a series punctuated by England posting the highest one-day score 6/481 in an extraordinary 242-run triumph at Nottingham.

Richardson, 27, emerged with respectable series figures taking six wickets at 26 in three matches.

There is nothing like sharpening your game and mindset against the best. Every ball matters.

“Starting well against such a good batting team is so important. It was one of those learning experiences,” said Richardson.

It’s never a good sign when bowlers top the averages like Nathan Lyon’s one scalp at 70 compared to batsman Shaun Marsh’s 288 runs at 57. Allrounder Ashton Agar toiled for four wickets at 58. Rookie speedster Jhye Richardson’s five wickets at came 42 a piece while Billy Stanlake did well to claim six wickets at 34 against the Old Enemy.

Andrew Tye went within a whisker of Mick Lewis’s record worst bowling figures for Australia, 0-113 from 10 overs, stopped when nine overs conceded 100 at Trent Bridge.

“Bowling to someone like Jos Buttler in the powerplay you don’t really know what you are doing as you can’t really restrict him in one area of the ground,” said Richardson.

“They were at their peak, had momentum. A team full of confidence versus a team finding its way.”

The consolation for Australia is England can scarcely improve its supremacy.

Richardson wants another shot in England next year during a World Cup defence that shouldn’t be written off.

Redbacks and Australia paceman Kane Richardson at Adelaide Oval. Picture Simon Cross

‘You would like to think a few go in the air or to hand and it is a different story,” said Richardson.

“I know my place in the pecking order and have always said it is being that next guy around the mark. Billy Stanlake showed a lot especially in that last game in Manchester with three wickets.

“That last World Cup in Australia looked so much fun so that and the Ashes are the dream.”

Bans to batsmen Steve Smith, David Warner and Cam Bancroft coupled with injury ravaged pace stocks means Richardson can’t recall a more open season for national selection since debuting for South Australia nine years ago. Older and wiser, Richo wants to make the JLT one-day Cup starting on September 20 against New South Wales in Perth count.

“The JLT coming up is a massive one and if I can perform in that, keep my name around the mark you never know,” said Richardson, adding the Redbacks were ‘definitely a chance’ of one-day silverware.

“This JLT a lot of guys are going to be focused on that It all depends on injuries and form.”

Talent has never been an issue but durability has until this year. Available for all of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield games last season, Richardson and selectors can have peace of mind in a 190cm frame regularly sabotaged by back ailments.

“I think the last two years have been a lot better. I think the body is more durable, have grown into it,” said Richardson, stuck on 98 first-class seven years after blooded against Queensland in Adelaide.

“I am not as quick as I was but have learnt when to go flat out or go about your business.”