Ashes 2021-22 | Nice to make a contribution but there’s no better feeling than just winning, says Jhye Richardson

Australia are leading the Ashes 2021-22 by 2-0 with a 275 run victory in the Adelaide Test on Monday. Going into the fixture, Australia missed out on their two frontline pacers. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood missed the fixture and Michael Neser replaced them along with Jhye Richardson.

"More of a relief than anything else. Especially after the first innings, having a bit of a tough time out there. To come out again and most importantly get the win. It's nice to make a contribution as well but there's no better feeling than just winning,” Richardson said in a presser, reported Cricbuzz. 

Richardson revealed that the Australia bowlers were encouraged to bowl the deliveries fuller watching their English counterparts unable to reap rewards bowling on a shorter length. 

"The first thing, we were encouraged to pitch the ball up. We saw the English guys probably bowl a little bit too short and that was the feedback coming back from us that we needed to pitch the ball up,” he elaborated. 

Richardson has played just three Tests, 13 ODIs, and 14 T20Is for Australia owing to injury problems in his career. In March 2019, he sustained a shoulder injury while attempting a dive in an ODI against Pakistan. He then underwent surgery and missed the Ashes and ODI World Cup. Reflecting on his period while away from the sport, he said that there were phases when he was concerned whether he would get back to playing at his best. 

"It probably didn't hit me straight away when I did my shoulder. I was probably a little naive in thinking that it wasn't going to be that long. I wouldn't need surgery, etc, etc. But I think one thing that helped me through that was that I always had something to aim for. After I first did it, there was a World Cup nine or 10 weeks away. I think it was an Ashes year as well. So there was always something to aim for whether or not it was those two things or Shield cricket or just playing club cricket,” he stated. 

Australia have announced their squad for the rest of the series. Cummins and Hazlewood have returned back to the squad and so Neser and Richardson might have to miss out on the third Test in Melbourne on Boxing Day. Cummins missed the fixture having come in close contact with a Covid-19 positive case in Adelaide while Hazlewood was out due to side strain. Speaking on the possibility that he may have to sit on the sidelines in the next match, Richardson said that he will be happy with whatever the selectors decide. 

"The beauty of Australian cricket at the moment is we've got fast bowling stocks. I think that's a wonderful problem for JL and the selectors to have. Whatever happens, happens. I had an unfortunate first innings and then bowled a little bit better in the second inning. Whatever happens, happens. I'm happy to go either way. As long as we're winning, then that's all we can ask for,” he concluded.