The Ashes 2021/22: Jhye Richardson set to see off Michael Neser to replace Josh Hazlewood
National selector George Bailey points to Jhye Richardson’s eight-wicket Ashes audition last month as a good indication this paceman is capable of sending the visitors into orbit.
The fast bowler who once bought land on the moon is set for an epic Australian comeback after a report from Test players declared he was bowling out of this world.
Jhye Richardson’s eight-wicket Ashes audition for Western Australia at the Gabba last month, prompted two of his victims — Marnus Labuschagne and Joe Burns — to march straight to national selector George Bailey after play and detail first-hand the quality of his eye-popping performance.
David Warner will have to bat in the nets on Tuesday in Adelaide and show he has the range of movement required to play in the second Test as he nurses himself through the agony of badly bruised ribs.
Usman Khawaja would be Warner’s replacement if he fails to prove his fitness, and on Monday he got himself reacquainted with Ben Stokes, with pictures of Australian and England players alighting their flight from Brisbane side-by-side something that never would have been seen pre-Covid.
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Richardson is set to see off a challenge from Queenslander Michael Neser to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood for the second pink ball Test in Adelaide in what would be his first Test since a serious shoulder dislocation derailed his meteoric rise in early 2019.
When he debuted in two Tests against Sri Lanka, Richardson was nicknamed “ET” by teammates because of his unique interest in buying ‘Celestial Real Estate’ online, and it seems fitting Australia is now turning to the man who also owns his own star, to dominate under lights in Adelaide.
“I’m getting pretty excited by Jhye,” said Bailey before the series started.
“Physically I think he looks as strong as I’ve ever seen him and I just like the fact he’s had a couple of niggles and he’s worked his way back from those so he’s starting to build some resilience into what is still a young body.
“That Gabba game … one particular spell the morning of day two — it was a really impressive spell early on and he ended up getting the wickets of Marnus and Joe Burns, who both commented that it was impressive.”
Bailey had seen enough with his own eyes, and with the added endorsement of the world’s fourth best batsman Labuschagne, wasn’t going to muck around.
“It was strange, said Richardson, who found out mid-match that he was Ashes bound.
“George Bailey was at the game at the Gabba and he gave me the tap on the shoulder then.
“It was excitement, it was relief and it put everything into perspective and the red ball focus was worth it.”
There was initial talk Richardson might unseat Mitchell Starc from the first Test attack, but selectors pulled the right rein backing in the left-armer.
However, they have paid a price for the entire fast bowling attack coming into a Test match straight from a Twenty20 World Cup, and with Hazlewood (side strain) out, the importance of having a fresh reserve like Richardson is going to pay dividends.
Richardson has a proper red ball preparation under his belt and is well credentialed for Adelaide, despite the like-for-like similarities between Neser and Hazlewood.
The right-arm whippet took five wickets on Test debut in a pink ball Test at the Gabba against Sri Lanka in January 2019, and in his one first-class match at Adelaide Oval he took seven wickets at an average of 13.
Richardson would have been a central part of both the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2019 Ashes in the UK if it wasn’t for a dislocated shoulder he suffered on a lead-up white ball tour against Pakistan which has set his career back by a couple of years.
However, those around the Australian camp believe Richardson is world class and could put serious pressure on the big three quicks over the years to come.
As for Neser, if he misses out in Adelaide he may start to wonder if he will ever get an opportunity in the Test team.
Neser has been a travelling reserve for Australia for several years now, but he won’t get a better chance than a pink ball Test in Adelaide with Hazlewood on the sidelines.
That said, if he misses out in the second Test, he may still only be an injury away from a debut depending on how long Hazlewood is ruled out for.
Hazlewood’s Boxing Day fear as star quick ruled out
Australia is set to unleash emerging pace sensation Jhye Richardson in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide with a young Justin Langer clone also entering selectors’ thoughts.
Experienced seamer Josh Hazlewood was seen on a flight to Sydney on Sunday afternoon after suffering a side strain in Australia’s first Test win - before on Monday being ruled out of the Test starting Thursday.
Cricket Australia confirmed Hazlewood’s absence in a statement on Monday morning, while also casting doubt on his availability for the Boxing Day Test in a fortnight.
“Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the second Ashes Test in Adelaide with a side injury,” the statement read.
“Hazlewood was injured during Australia’s nine-wicket win against England in Brisbane.
“Hazlewood returned to Sydney (on Sunday) afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test to be made in due course.
“Australia takes a 14-man squad to Adelaide (on Monday) morning including fast bowlers Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson and leg spinner Mitchell Swepson.
“Selectors will choose a squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests following the Adelaide match.”
Several other players such as Travis Head, Alex Carey and David Warner also returned home after Australia’s landslide Test win over England.
His absence in Adelaide should allow the pacy, skilful Richardson to earn a Test recall in a tight call over Michael Neser.
Warner is likely to play despite rib soreness but if he is ruled out Australia is looking at the possibility of adding compact Queensland’s Bryce Street to the squad to join Usman Khawaja as a batting option.
Street, 23, scored a century for Australia A against the English Lions on the weekend and is an old-fashioned left-handed opener in the Langer mould, with endless patience and comfortable in challenging conditions.
Meanwhile, English star Stuart Broad has claimed he could have made a positive impact at the Gabba and how his stunning omission triggered an embarrassing “ooh, ahh Glenn McGrath’’ moment.
England have a myriad of issues which came after they omitted champion veterans Broad and Jimmy Anderson only to be thumped by nine wickets at the Gabba.
The decision to omit Broad was widely panned by Test greats and Broad said in his column on the Mail on Sunday even Australian Test great McGrath was caught off-guard.
Just before the toss McGrath approached Broad in the outfield to congratulate him on what he expected would be his 150th Test appearance.
“It’s a special effort, have a great game,’ he said,’’ Broad revealed.
“I thanked him but had to tell him I wasn’t in. An awkward moment but one which raised an embarrassed smile and a chuckle.’’
It has been speculated Broad and Anderson were rested as part of rotation policy but Broad said he was ready to fire and was disappointed to be omitted.
“Over the past 12 months, Jimmy Anderson and I tried to ensure we were as fit as could be in the current Covid climate, ready to go and available for all five Tests in Australia. I think we ticked that box.’’
“It would be wrong in this scenario to kick up a stink. On the flip side, I love Ashes cricket, love bowling at the Gabba and feel like I could’ve had a positive influence on a pitch like that.
“Of course, I was disappointed not to play but I also realise this series is a marathon and not a sprint. Never have five Test matches been as bunched up as this and it will be exhausting, so realistically I don’t think any seamer will play all five.’’
The pink ball Test is a tricky one for selectors because while the night time environment can make it a swing bowler’s paradise there are also times in the day when the same ball does nothing and batsmen rule.
Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, one of the greatest swing bowlers of all time, was given a used pink ball during a commentary stint in Adelaide two years ago and said “not even I could swing a ball like this.’’
Former Test fast bowler Rodney Hogg expects Richardson to get the nod if Hazlewood is out.
“He is an emerging superstar,’’ Hogg said of Richardson. “He bowls fast outswing. I think they will play him.’’
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