Jhye Richardson’s nightmare injury setback after Sheffield Shield return

Following a frustrating two-year hiatus, Jhye Richardson’s long-awaited return to the Sheffield Shield lasted just two overs.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 17: Jhye Richardson of Western Australia takes a moment after being hit by a delivery from Peter Siddle of Tasmania during day one of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA, on October 17, 2021, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Jhye Richardson’s long-awaited return to the Sheffield Shield lasted just two overs, with the West Australian seamer suffering a back spasm on Monday morning.

Due to injury and national commitments, Richardson had not made an appearance in the Sheffield Shield since November 2019.

His hiatus was primarily due to a shoulder injury that required two bouts of surgery, while a side strain hampered his pre-season this year.

But the 25-year-old was named in West Australia’s starting XI for this week’s first-class contest against Tasmania at the WACA, which got underway on Sunday.

Watch Live Coverage of the 21/22 Marsh One-Day Cup Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Join Now

Richardson contributed 34 with the bat in West Australia’s first innings of 238, as Tasmanian young gun Lawrence Neil-Smith claimed 5/43 – the first five-wicket haul of his Sheffield Shield career.

Richardson then removed Tasmanian opener Tim Ward for a duck with his fifth delivery of the match, finding the left-hander’s outside edge in the second over of the innings.

The visitors were 1/8 at stumps on day one, still trailing by 230 runs — Richardson boasted figures of 1/5 after two overs.

However, the right-armer did not return to the field when play resumed on day two after suffering an “acute mid-back spasm” in the warm-up.

WA Cricket later confirmed in a statement: “Jhye Richardson suffered an acute spasm in his thoracic spine during the warm-up this morning and won’t take the field today. He will be reviewed daily to determine if he is fit to return to the match.”

Radio co-host Jacob Landsmeer posted: “(Richardson) left the ground with the doctor and physio in obvious discomfort”.

Jhye Richardson celebrates the wicket of Tim Ward. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images

On Sunday, Richardson was struck on the abdomen by a delivery from veteran seamer Peter Siddle.

He appeared to be in discomfort as Dr Thomas Hill treated him, but was able to continue his innings soon after.

Richardson made his Test debut in January 2019 against Sri Lanka, claiming 5/45 in a day-night match at the Gabba.

He has represented Australia in two Tests, 13 ODIs and 14 T20s since making his international debut in 2017, claiming 43 wickets.

The Punjab Kings XI signed Richardson for a whopping AUD$2.48 million at the Indian Premier League auction earlier this year.

After the second leg of the 2021 IPL was postponed due to Covid-19, Richardson elected not to take part in Australia’s white-ball tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh over the winter months.