Jhye Richardson set for comeback with Perth Scorchers in Top End T20 Tournament

Cricket Australia handed Jhye Richardson a central contract in March but the pacer failed to appear for the country due to an injury incurred in BBL. He then played just one game for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. Being a part of Australia’s training camp in Brisbane, he was not drafted into the squad for the white-ball tour of Scotland and England. Amidst all this, he is part of the Perth Scorchers squad for the Top End T20 Tournament in Darwin.

Richardson will be playing his first match in Australia since January if he features for Perth Scorchers. He was on the verge of making an ODI return against West Indies last season but failed to do so after contracting a side strain. Other than Richardson, Matt Kelly will be joining Scorchers after ending his last season midway due to an injury.

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"We also see this tournament as an opportunity for Jhye and Kells [Matt Kelly] to find touch in a competitive environment. They didn't play a lot of cricket last year but they're a big part of what we do at the Scorchers and WA, so we're looking forward to seeing both of them back in action,” said stand-in coach, Tim MacDonald as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"He's [Richardson] fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities. I think he'll get opportunities again across the summer,” national selector George Bailey had said last month.

Top-end tournament is an extended version of BBL with franchises from different parts of the world vying for glory. It is worth noting that, more than half of the teams from BBL will feature in the league. Northern Territory Strike, Pakistan A, ACT, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, and a Bangladesh High-Performance side will also feature in the latest edition.