Australian Twenty20 paceman Kane Richardson says he has no plans to abandon his Test ambitions despite being pigeon-holed as a white-ball specialist.
England legspinner Adil Rashid this week made the shock decision to opt out of playing for county side Yorkshire in 2018, preferring to focus his attentions on white-ball cricket.
Rashid’s decision was particularly surprising given the uncertainty around whether Moeen Ali can reclaim his mantle as England’s first-choice Test spinner after a horror Ashes series.
It also raised questions about whether others might follow suit given the demands of playing in three formats and the opportunity to make big money in domestic T20 leagues.
A highly-effective short-form bowler who has been consistently overlooked for Test selection, Richardson would seem a prime candidate to fall into that category.
But speaking after Australia’s T20 tri-series win over New Zealand in Auckland, the South Australian said he hadn’t given up hope of one day earning a baggy green.
“For (Rashid), he’s played Test cricket so it’s easier knowing that you’ve tried it, you’ve tasted it, you’ve done it,” Richardson said.
“I want to perform in an arena I haven’t performed in, and that’s four-day cricket into five-day cricket.
“I’d probably regret making that call, especially now. I’m only 27, (so) maybe in a couple of years but we’ll hopefully get there one day.”
Richardson’s commitment to red-ball cricket was emphasised when he opted out of this year’s IPL auction to focus on playing for the Redbacks in the Sheffield Shield.
Australia will host the World T20 in two years’ time with Richardson determined not to miss out.
“For me, I can’t just say I want to be a T20 bowler. I want to play everything I can and take as many wickets I can in all the forms,” Richardson said.
“That T20 World Cup is a massive one, I want to be in a World Cup, whether or not I play in it, I want to be around it.
“I don’t know if missing Shield cricket will help that goal. You’ve got to keep playing and performing. Maybe after that, we’ll have a look at it.”
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