PAK vs AUS: Kane Richardson out with hamstring injury, Ben Dwarshuis named replacement

Kane Richardson will miss Australia’s limited-overs tour of Pakistan due to a hamstring strain and will be substituted by New South Wales left-arm bowler Ben Dwarshuis. Richardson, the squad’s most-seasoned fast bowler at this point, worsened the injury sustained during practice in Melbourne before the team’s trip to the Asian nation.

After Richardson is forced out of the limited-overs tour, Australia will have one of their most inexperienced pace groups in one-day international cricket in recent times. Dwarshuis plays for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, but has no international experience. He was a member of Australia’s T20 side during a tri-series in 2017-18 and has played in the Indian Premier League, too.

If Dwarshuis makes into the ODI squad for the three-match series against Pakistan, it will be his first ODI appearance following only a handful of List-A games for New South Wales in the domestic arena. Against Pakistan, Jason Behrendorff and Sean Abbott will spearhead the pace attack, which will also include Nathan Ellis and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stoinis.

Richardson’s injury a minor one, confirms Cricket Australia

“Although the injury is considered minor it was decided the long trip to Pakistan, along with four games in eight days and short turnarounds, it was in Kane Richardson’s best interests to remain home,” a statement released by Cricket Australia read.

Captain Aaron Finch, on the contrary, is certain that he has a well-equipped bowling arsenal for Australia’s second ODI series after more than a year. Before their departure for Pakistan, Finch praised his fast-bowling squad.

“One thing that will help is the boys having played a lot of T20 cricket. They’re inexperienced for Australia, but I believe that playing T20 cricket would improve them. There’s a lot of talent in the group, and individuals who have played domestic one-day cricket for a long time,” he said.