BBL: Jhye Richardson All Set to Miss the Final of Big Bash League

Perth Scorchers ace speedster Jhye Richardson is most likely to miss the forthcoming final of the Big Bash League season 12 (BBL 12) scheduled to be played next Saturday at the Optus Stadium in Perth as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained earlier in the season. Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner indicated that Richardson might not feature in the final.

Richardson suffered an injury while bowling in the group league game against Sydney Thunder in the first half of the ongoing BBL season. The right-arm quick had scalped 15 wickets in seven games this season before the injury. Though the loss of Richardson couldn’t stop the Scorchers from reaching their eighth BBL final.  

The Scorchers secured their spot in Saturday’s decider with a seven-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers in Perth. Turner led from the front to help his team secure the win and a place in the final in front of the home crowd. Turner was the hero on Saturday night, cracking an unbeaten 84 off 47 balls as the Scorchers recovered from 22-3 to chase down the target of 152 with nine balls to spare.

BBL: Richardson Has “Pretty Slim” Chances of Playing the Final

Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner said he would be surprised if Richardson is fit for the BBL final. He further said that the most successful BBL club will not risk the injury of Richardson as he has got a lot of cricket ahead of him.

“I think Jhye’s chances are pretty slim. I’d be surprised if we see him next weekend. Jhye’s such an exciting cricketer, but he’s still a young guy. He puts his body through a lot. But we also have a bit of perspective. Jhye’s got a lot of cricket ahead of him, in orange, playing for WA, playing for Australia, playing for franchises around the world. He’s too important to put unnecessary risk on his body. I don’t think it’s worth putting someone’s young body under too much stress,” said Ashton Turner after the Scorchers’ game against the Sydney Sixers.

In another significant loss for the defending champions, India bound-Lance Morris will also be unavailable for the Saturday final, with the “Wild Thing” to jet out to the subcontinent on Tuesday as a member of Australia’s Test squad to tour India. Paceman Matt Kelly is also reportedly unfit for the match which means a welcome return for leg spinner Peter Hatzoglou in the playing XI. Scorchers will be eyeying a record-extending fifth BBL title.