By Justin Chadwick
Perth Scorchers pace ace Jhye Richardson says his hot form has even surprised himself after producing yet another match-winning BBL display.
Richardson snared 4-25 to spearhead the Scorchers’ six-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.
Scorchers captain Ashton Turner bats during Perth’s BBL victory over the Melbourne Stars on Thursday night. Credit:Cricket Australia
The Stars’ total of 135 was well below par, with Scorchers captain Ashton Turner (53 off 26 balls) and opener Adam Lyth (35 off 30 balls) helping get the home side over the line with 15 balls to spare.
The result, in front of 27,752 fans, lifted the Perth Scorchers (4-1) to the top of the table, while the Stars (1-4) have now lost three in a row.
Richardson struck in consecutive balls in the fourth over to dismiss Tom Rogers (20) and Beau Webster, and he repeated the dose in the 14th over.
The 26-year-old snared 4-9 in the season opener, and he now has 12 wickets this campaign to sit behind only Adelaide Strikers paceman Henry Thornton (14 wickets).
His form is all the more amazing considering he entered the tournament under an injury cloud after being sidelined by a heel complaint for six weeks.
“Best when fresh I like to say,” Richardson said with a laugh.
“Definitely (surprised at my form). I didn’t have a great run-in to the tournament.
“But once you get the first one out of the way and you have a good performance, you just thrive off that confidence and ride the wave.”
Richardson hopes his heel pain will be completely gone by the end of the tournament, and he has his fingers crossed he will be in the conversation for a Test recall in time for next year’s tour of India.
The Stars were in all sorts of trouble at 8-86 when Richardson bowled Luke Wood around his legs after having Nathan Coulter-Nile caught on the boundary.
But some handy late blows from Hilton Cartwright (36 off 32 balls) and tail-ender Trent Boult (23no off 16 balls) lifted the Stars to a defendable total.
Marcus Stoinis was out for 10 when he skied Tye to mid-off in the 10th over, continuing a worrying form slump for the powerful batter.
Stoinis has now posted scores of 0, 0, 4 and 10 this BBL season.
Cartwright is confident Stoinis will hit a big score soon.
“He’s an unbelievable player,” Cartwright said.
“I don’t reckon he’s far away from a big score, it’s just a matter of picking his match-ups and picking the time when he goes.
“I”ve got no doubt he’s going to fire for us very soon.“
Paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile will be assessed after feeling tightness in his hamstring.
AAP
