For Kane Richardson, the build-up to his Twenty20 International debut has been mayhem.
The 23-year-old South Australia quick is set to make his debut in the 20-over game in Australia’s clash with Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.
After Thursday’s Champions League T20 semi-finals in India, the exit of Glenn Maxwell’s King’s XI Punjab side means Maxwell is free to play in the T20 International for Australia.
Aussie paceman Pat Cummins is unavailable, however, as his Kolkata Knight Riders will face the Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League final in Bangalore on Sunday.
Legspinner Cameron Boyce is also free to return to skipper Aaron Finch’s Australia T20 squad after the Hobart Hurricanes lost their Champions League semi-final.
Allrounder Mitch Marsh has been ruled out with a hamstring strain, leaving Australia with a squad of just ten players, plus spinner Nathan Lyon and Phil Hughes who have been placed on standby.
Lyon, Hughes, Sean Abbott, Boyce and Richardson could be all in line for T20 debuts in the clash with Pakistan.
“I guess we have got enough people here to put a team on the park so whoever gets the nod they’ll do their best,” Richardson told reporters on Thursday.
“That’s one thing that’s come out of all this mayhem I guess that is going on is that you probably know you’re going to play.
“It’s exciting. I’ve been around the squad a few games here and there but never got the opportunity to play.”
Richardson has played four one-day internationals, including a haul of 2-38 against South Africa in Zimbabwe on September 2.
The paceman is hoping a good series in the UAE will help his chances of selection for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next February and March.
“Playing against South Africa in one-day cricket is the pinnacle at the moment,” he said.
“That was a good experience to have a crack at them and test myself against probably the best batting line-up going around.”
Richardson gave his bushy beard a trim in Zimbabwe, but now he’s having second thoughts.
“It was just getting a bit silly, so I trimmed it back,” he said.
“I could probably do with the extra length here. The sun’s quite damaging on the skin.”
