Ind vs Aus 2019: Australian pacer out of India tour, replacement named
Australian paceman Kane Richardson has been ruled out of the ongoing tour against India after injuring his side during practice. Andrew Tye has been named his replacement.
Australian team's physiotherapist David Beakley, on the eve of the second and final T20I game between the two teams, revealed the injury to Richardson, stating that the injury was picked in training before the first T20I game. The pacer was not part of the playing XI.
“Unfortunately, he has not recovered well enough in order to play a further part in the tour,” Beakley said.
“Kane will return home to continue his rehabilitation, and we monitor his progress over the coming weeks,” he added.
Richardson's struggle was evident in the pre-game preparation in Bengaluru, where the 28-year-old appeared for practice but had to cut his stint short midway, pulling out after bowling a few deliveries in the nets.
It was supposed to be a comeback of sorts for Richardson, whose last T20I and ODI was against England in June 2018. He was the leading wicket-taker in the Big Bash T20 League that preceded the India tour.
Tye, on the other hand, was part of the T20I setup when India toured Australia late last year. His last ODI was also against England in June 2018.
Australia currently lead the series 1-0, having won the first T20I in a low-scoring nailbiter that went down to the last ball. It is unclear whether Tye manages to replace someone in the playing XI, especially with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Pat Cummins in good nick.
Jhye Richardson was the weak link for Australia's bowling in the first game, and the management could be tempted to replace him with Tye (if he's available), for the final game, given that the 32-year-old Tye has ample experience of Indian conditions, courtesy the IPL.
The second T20I begins today in Bengaluru at 1900 IST.