West Australian paceman Jhye Richardson to play Premier Cricket on Saturday in build towards red-ball return

West Australian paceman Jhye Richardson will play club cricket this weekend as he builds towards a red-ball return.

Richardson has been named to play for Fremantle against Scarborough on Saturday as part of his load management program, which is run by Cricket Australia.

He is also in the frame to play WA’s one-day match against Tasmania on Friday after a player-of-the-match performance against Queensland on Sunday.

The West Australian revealed this week Cricket Australia staff were meeting with WA Cricket officials on Thursday to discuss management plans for both Richardson and fellow quick Lance Morris.

WA are keen for both players to make a return to red-ball cricket before the Big Bash League break in December and January.

“We are certainly keen for both Lance and Jhye to play shield cricket at some point over the next little bit, certainly before the Big Bash starts,” WA cricket boss Kade Harvey told The West.

Richardson played one game for Fremantle last season, but injured his hamstring in a match for the club at the start of 2023.

Ashton Turner has been named to play for Fremantle, as has new WA wicket-keeper Baxter Holt.

WA will name a Sheffield Shield team to face Tasmania from Sunday later on Friday, with Aaron Hardie expected to return for his first game this season as a specialist batter.

Neither Jayden Goodwin or Hilton Cartwright have been named to play Premier Cricket in Subiaco-Floreat’s clash with South Perth as batters jostle for spots in WA’s side.

Charlie Stobo has been named to play for University, which means he is unlikely to win his shield spot back this week.

Left-arm quick Joel Paris is “touch and go” to face Tasmania.