'Have been limited by my shoulder' - Jhye Richardson pulls out of BBL 2024-25 to undergo surgery

Perth Scorchers have won just three out of eight games in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL 2024-25). The team, however, has maintained a positive Net Run Rate of +0.467 and they are still in contention to make it to the knockout stages. In this critical phase of their campaign, they will be missing out on the services of their key pacer, Jhye Richardson. 

The right-arm pacer will undergo another shoulder surgery with an aim to be fit for the upcoming Ashes 2025-26. The 28-year-old has been grappling with the shoulder injury ever since he first dislocated his right shoulder, while fielding in an ODI in March 2019.

Thereafter, he underwent the second surgery in 2020 but multiple dislocations followed since then. One of the unusual ways of him dislocating his shoulder occurred while he was celebrating a wicket on his Sheffield Shield return in November. This meant that he pulled out from the remaining high fives after the issue persisted. 

"After careful consideration and many discussions with my medical team, I've made the decision to undergo shoulder surgery to improve stability and reduce the risk of future injury. For the past few years, I have been limited by my shoulder in the field and know how increasingly important it is to be capable to back up my teammates,” said Richardson as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

This is the best option to set me up for a strong and healthy return to cricket: Richardson

Meanwhile, Jhye Richardson reflected on his decision to pull out of Australia's premier T20 cricket extravaganza. The pacer said that he was now focussed on making a stronger and healthier comeback to cricket in the future ahead. Besides, he also chalked out his plan of a probable return to the next edition of the coveted Sheffield Shield.

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"While it's a tough call, especially as it means I won't be able to finish the season with the Scorchers, this is the best option to set me up for a strong and healthy return to cricket. The timing of the surgery is crucial to ensure I have the best possible build up, including Shield cricket leading into next summer. I'll be giving everything I've got to the rehab process, determined to come back as the best version of myself,” Richardson concluded.