'I still feel strong in myself' - Jhye Richardson eyes Test return as he enters his 30s

Jhye Richardson turns 30 on Sunday, two days out from the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A in Puducherry. After suffering a raft of injuries over the years and playing just four Tests and 33 white-ball internationals since he made his international debut in 2017, Richardson knows the precarious nature of being a fast bowler in top-flight cricket.

Richardson also lost his Australia central contract recently, but despite that setback and fears around his career, he still derives joy from running in and bowling fast.

"It [turning 30] is quite scary knowing careers can end abruptly," Richardson said on the sidelines of a BBL event in Chennai before linking up with the Australia A side. "But I still feel strong in myself and I'm enjoying the game and playing for my country. Senior bowler, junior - whatever it is - doesn't bother me too much as long as I'm enjoying my cricket."

Contracted or not, Richardson is committed to playing Test cricket and has now set his sights on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India next year.

"That's always the plan - to play Test cricket," Richardson said. "I'd love to play Test cricket. Again, I've played a few games now, had a taste of Test cricket, but with shoulder issues and other issues, I haven't played as much as I would have liked.

"That [Border-Gavaskar Trophy] is always in the background. My mentality this year is just to be where my feet are. That's in Chennai right now and then in Puducherry for two four-day games against India A. Hopefully get through those two games and ultimately if I perform well, I can play Test cricket again."

Richardson last played a Test in December 2025 during the Ashes at the MCG, where he pinned Joe Root lbw with an inswinger. After plotting against Root in the Ashes, he teamed up with him at Yorkshire during his maiden county stint, which has set him up for the upcoming red-ball grind in India.

"Joe is amazing off the field," Richardson said. "He's one of the best players in the world. But you know, some of the conversations that we have off the field don't regard cricket whatsoever. He's very intelligent and he thinks a lot about what he says.

"So it was a lot of fun with Joe and I'd love to go back next year. It was a great experience, obviously playing against him in the Ashes and then getting to know him a bit more off the field."

Richardson's output in county cricket wasn't flash - an average of 66.33 and six wickets in seven innings - but his shoulder, which has caused him grief in the past, held up well and also passed the test in the Global Super League in Guyana, where he represented Perth Scorchers.

"The last couple of years with injury...I haven't had a long string of games together," Richardson said. "So the idea was to finish the season strong, and then pretty much head straight into playing some county cricket, get some games there, and then prepare for GSL, which luckily I've gotten through so far.

"And then coming back with some new staff members coming into the WA set-up - new head coach [Beau Casson], new S&C [Strength and Conditioning] coach as well, who's brought a nice spin on things. He comes from an AFL background, was at the West Coast Eagles for 12 years. He's come in and pushed us really hard."

Earlier this month chair of selectors George Bailey questioned whether Richardson could return to 140kph and above, which he was capable of in his younger days, but stressed that that wouldn't stop him being a contender for international cricket.

Adam Voges, who has coached Richardson at WA and continues at Scorchers in the BBL, feels Richardson is fitter right now than he was before.

"I think I'm really excited and optimistic for Jhye [ahead of the new season]," Voges said. "He's had his troubles with injury and his body, but looking at him at the moment, he's probably as fit and strong as I've seen him. And I think that'll give him a great opportunity. The county stint, GSL, into the Australia A tour that's about to start... So hopefully we're going to see a really good version of Jhye.

"Because we all know how much Test cricket Australia's got coming up in the next 18 months, and I think a fit and firing Jhye Richardson can certainly be part of that group. But equally, if we're talking about this fixture [BBL opener] here, he'll be leading our attack come December, and that's a really exciting proposition for us."

Having last played in India more than two years ago, for Delhi Capitals during IPL 2024, Richardson hopes to reacquaint himself with the Indian audience and conditions when he returns to the country for the BBL season-opener in Chennai on December 12.

"We all know how much India loves its cricket," Richardson said. "The stadiums are always packed out and super loud, so hopefully we can recreate something with that here. We might have to put in a good word around Chennai to try and get them on the Scorchers' side."