Jhye Richardson added to National Performance Squad for India tour

Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been added to the National Performance Squad that will tour India later this month, continuing his comeback after dislocating his shoulder in March. The 22-year-old fast bowler will work with former Australia quick Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation and could feature in the squad's matches against the MRF Academy.

Richardson injured his shoulder while fielding in an ODI against Pakistan in Sharjah. He was named in the preliminary World Cup squad, but was eventually ruled out in May. He featured in a club match in Darwin last month, where he took 1 for 67 in ten overs, and also joined the Australia A squad for their training camp in Brisbane in early June.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said Richardson was "ready to bowl in matches" after completing that outing in Darwin.

"He is bowling off his full run and has good shoulder function," Sims said. "The plan is for him to play matches in both formats while on tour and we expect he will be able to bowl however many overs are required in the games he plays."

However, an Ashes return is unlikely for the young bowler, who made his Test debut in January against Sri Lanka, and has taken an impressive 39 wickets in 25 international matches.

In an interview with Cricday last month, Richardson was upbeat after having clocked 130 kph in the match in Darwin.

"Obviously I was very, very rusty," he said. "It was the first game in three or four months so I couldn't expect miracles. In terms of shoulder wise, I coped fine. The pace was okay. Probably a little bit better than I expected. From all reports here, the day's gone well. After today, it gives me a little bit more confidence that I'm ready to go.

"Practice is always good, but just being able to play in a game over bowling in the nets with no batter, just gives myself a better idea of where I'm at, and where I'm at I'm pretty happy with."

Richardson has replaced Western Australia team-mate Aaron Hardie in the 14-member squad that will be coached by former Australia opener Chris Rogers and also includes batsmen Ben McDermott and Josh Philippe, as well as legspinners Lloyd Pope and Daniel Fallins. The team will play three one-dayers and three T20s against the MRF Academy, starting later this week.

Squad: Tom Andrews, Oliver Davies, Dan Fallins, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Ryan Hadley, Jhye Richardson, Lachlan Hearne, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Jonathon Merlo, Todd Murphy, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope