Injury-prone fast bowlers Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are set to return for Western Australia in the One-Day Cup. WA named both in their 14-man squad for the opening matches against New South Wales and South Australia, scheduled for Sunday and Tuesday in Sydney.
Morris hasn’t played since February due to a side strain, which cut his season short after just two ODIs. Off-season scans later revealed a back hot spot, ruling him out of Major League Cricket and Australia’s limited-overs tour of the UK. Although pain-free, Morris will cautiously return, likely playing just one of the two matches as part of a slow build towards red-ball cricket. WA’s squad includes six fast bowlers, including uncontracted veterans Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye.
Richardson, plagued by hamstring and shoulder injuries in recent years, managed limited action over the winter. He played one IPL game for Delhi Capitals and three for Perth Scorchers in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin. His return to 50-over cricket is a positive step, though his fitness for Sheffield Shield action remains uncertain.
Uncontracted left-arm spinner Ashton Agar joins WA’s squad, while Cameron Bancroft will likely keep wicket with Josh Inglis on national duty. Notably, former WA opener Josh Philippe will face his old team for the first time after moving to New South Wales.
Elsewhere, Tasmania will be without Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith for their opening two One-Day Cup matches. Both quicks are recovering from injuries sustained during Australia’s recent limited-overs tour of the UK.
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