Perth Scorchers quick Jhye Richardson is set to return to competitive cricket on Saturday for the first time since January after a long-term shoulder injury.
Richardson underwent shoulder surgery midway through the BBL|14 campaign which has sidelined him since.
The Scorchers speedster is now building a case to return to state ranks and potentially BBL|15, starting with Saturday’s WA Premier Cricket game between Fremantle and Midland-Guildford.
Richardson is slated to bowl eight overs for the Port Boys in the 50-over fixture at Lilac Hill.
Scorchers and WA coach Adam Voges said: “He’s definitely no chance to play our next Shield game.
“I think he’ll play a couple of weeks of Premier Cricket just to get some overs under his belt. What that build looks like for him, we’re not entirely sure.
“But there’s a big milestone for him to get out there and play for Fremantle this weekend. Hopefully that goes really well and we’ll keep building from there.”
Richardson and Voges have publicly spoken about the fast bowler’s desire to play red-ball cricket this summer, including remaining hopeful of an Ashes berth. That’s particularly relevant with Pat Cummins’ injury troubles.
Voges added: “He’s physically in really good shape and it’s just a matter of getting his shoulder back online and getting back up to 100 per cent intensity.
“Then being able to hold that and build some volume – he’s going really well. Clearly with one eye on the upcoming Ashes series, a lot of his planning is geared towards that.”
