Australia’s death bowling ace Kane Richardson is in doubt for Saturday’s one-day final against South Africa in Harare with a back problem.
Richardson shapes as a key part of Australia’s World Cup plans, with selectors looking for a quick who can fill the specialist void of keeping things tight at the end of an innings.
However, he may miss a chance to test himself in a match with a trophy on the line, after departing training early on Thursday clutching his side and receiving treatment from the team doctor.
Richardson ruled out a side strain, a potentially serious injury that has felled many of Australia’s quicks over recent years.
But the 23-year-old admits the problem is a recurring one and he’s leaving himself in the hands of medical staff – with James Faulkner his likely replacement should he be ruled out at a final session on Friday.
“I’ve always had things like this as a kid and it’s one of those things if the physio gives you the all clear you go for it,” Richardson said.
“I’ll leave it in his hands, it’s not really up to me. They’ll see how it pulls up and make a decision.”
Australia’s other injury concern, spinner Nathan Lyon, didn’t train on Thursday but isn’t believed to be in any doubt with tightness in his leg.
Richardson looms as the only potential change to the side that beat South Africa by 62-runs on Tuesday, however, regardless of his fate, the South Australian remains excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
He has performed tidily and without much luck so far this series in his return to international cricket, after being called for an illegal follow through in his only previous ODI against Sri Lanka in Adelaide in 2013.
The right-armer was warned twice for running in front of the umpire’s eye-zone, before being dismissed from the attack after six overs.
Richardson admits he felt like he was starting from scratch when ordered to miss two Sheffield Shield games and fix his action.
However, with a World Cup opportunity ahead of him, he believes the drama has made him a more mentally sound asset for Australia.
“Now I can just worry about getting batsmen out. That’s my job,” he said.
“It was like being an under 13 again trying to learn and play club cricket on the weekends … but it was definitely worth it.”
Faf du Plessis hit his third century in four games as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 63 runs to book a date with Australia in the one-day tri-series final.
Du Plessis’s 121 carried the Proteas to 271 for six after they were put in to bat in Harare, before JP Duminy picked up three wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 208.
Zimbabwe had to chase down their target in 25.2 overs if they were going to gain a bonus point and improve their net run rate sufficiently to knock South Africa out, but didn’t even come close to winning with Brendan Taylor’s 79 the only score of note.
Instead South Africa ended up winning with a bonus point to top the standings.
