Richardson Ready For Red Ball Action

Richardson missed the first six rounds of this season’s competition as he completed his recovery from shoulder surgery early last year, which also saw him miss the second half of WA’s 2024-25 season.

The star quick made a highly anticipated return to red ball cricket in the Australian side that took on England in the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test in December.

Richardson’s return is one of two changes to WA’s Sheffield Shield squad, which last played against Victoria at the MCG in December.

WA also welcomes back Teague Wyllie to its 13-player squad, with the right-hander in line to play his first Sheffield Shield match of the season if selected in the starting side.   

Mitchell Marsh (Australia T20 World Cup squad) and Albert Esterhuysen (omitted) will miss the clash.

With one win from six matches prior to the KFC BBL|15 break, WA finds itself at the bottom of the Sheffield Shield table with 15.11 points.

While finishing atop the Sheffield Shield table looks unlikely with runaway leaders Victoria on 41.17 points, second spot, held by Queensland on 26.38 points, and a place in the final is still well within reach.

The first half of the season was littered with close calls, none more so than last October’s away fixture against Tasmania, which resulted in a heartbreaking two-run loss.

That, combined with two drawn matches with reigning champions South Australia, has left WA needing to start the second half of the season in winning fashion.

Along with the clash with Tasmania, WA will also host ladder-leaders Victoria at the WACA Ground from February 16.

The side rounds out its 2025-26 campaign with games against Queensland and New South Wales at Allan Border Field and Cricket Central respectively.

Fast bowler Cameron Gannon was a standout for WA through the first six games of the season, going into the break with a competition high 24 wickets at 25.45.

Gannon is on track to eclipse his previous season-best of 38 wickets in season 2019-20 when playing for Queensland.

While Gannon sits atop the wicket taking charts, he’s been well supported Matt Kelly (21 wickets) and Corey Rocchiccioli (18).

After spending the BBL with Sydney Thunder, Cameron Bancroft returns to familiar surroundings for the remainder of 2025-26 and does so off the back of an encouraging start to the Sheffield Shield season.

Bancroft has made 404 runs at 33.66 to be his side’s leading run scorer for the season to date, including a well compiled 122 against South Australia in October.

Fresh from a stellar BBL|15 campaign, allrounder Aaron Hardie will be hoping his good form translates to the red ball form of the game.

Hardie passed 50 on three occasions in his 333 runs at 37 from five outings, while also taking seven wickets with the ball.

WA Squad for the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania: Sam Whiteman (C), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Teague Wyllie

MATCH DETAILS
Sheffield Shield  – Game 7 
WA V TASMANIA
Thursday 5 February – Sunday 8 February. First ball 10:30AM, AWST.
WACA Ground, Perth
LIVE: Kayo, 91.3 Sport FM, Cricket.com.au.