As Jhye Richardson took the wicket of Steve O’Keefe to finish off the proceedings in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022 final, Perth Scorchers celebrations grew wild. During Scorchers’ on-field celebration of record-fourth BBL title, Richardson copped a blow on the nose from one of the teammates’ shoulder.
As the bleeding left the fast bowler with a bloody mouth, former Australian cricket Brad Hodge pulled him aside for a quick interview.
“It's always interesting. Copped one on the nose from one of the shoulders. Only played two games. Special mention to all the boys for a job well done,” Richardson said while wiping the blood off his nose his jersey.
The 25-year-old played a big role in Scorchers’ successful attempt to stop Sydney Sixers from winning third consecutive total. He played in just two matches – the qualifier and the final as he was part of Australia’s Ashes squad.
In the two BBL matches he played in the season, he had similar bowling figures. In the qualifier, he got the wicket of opener Josh Phillippe and skipper Moises Henriques to break the back of Sixers’ run chase. In addition, he conceded just 21 runs from his four overs.
In the final, he was economical with the new ball and then mopped up the tail quickly by getting the wickets of tailenders Nathan Lyon and O’Keefe. In 3.2 overs he bowled, he conceded just 20 runs.
Before joining Scorchers in the final stages of the tournament, the Western Australia seamer got a chance to play in the pink-ball Adelaide Test as skipper Pat Cummins missed out the game after coming in close contact of Covid-19 affected individual. Richardson made it count by picking up a fifer in the second innings to end England’s resistance after he remained wicketless in the first innings.
After five-wicket haul in Adelaide, Richardson did not play a single match in the remainder of the Ashes as he injured his left foot and shin. Due to this, he has also pulled out of the upcoming Australia’s tour of Pakistan.
