Kane Richardson braced for Proteas onslaught

Kane Richardson expects Australia to ‘cop it’ in their post-sandpaper gate return to South Africa.

Kane Richardson celebrates with teammates Adam Carey and Ashton Turner after dismissing Ravindra Jadeja during the recent one-day series against India Picture: AFP

Kane Richardson expects Aus­tralia to “cop it” in their 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 hosts posted 9-438.

The presence in South Africa of Allan Border medallist David Warner and prolific Steve Smith for the first time since serving ball-tampering bans adds spice to a challenge that Richardson is ­relishing.

“I watched a bit of the South ­Africa v England games there and it was a packed house and rocking so I assume it will be hostile but nothing that we didn’t hear in the UK for the World Cup,” Richardson said.

Three months of abuse from English crowds were artfully absorbed by a Justin Langer unit that retained the Ashes.

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“Hopefully it is respectful but we are expecting to cop it,” said Richardson.

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 20s, that is your prime. 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,” said Richardson, who turned 29 last Wednesday.

“I haven’t played in South Africa so it will be a 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.

“Everything gets easier after you have played those blokes in India,” he said.

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