SYDNEY: Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson has dislocated his shoulder and will head home from the Pakistan one-day series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), officials said, as he faces a battle to be fit for the World Cup.

Richardson took 2-16 in the second One-day International in Sharjah on Sunday but fell awkwardly on his bowling arm and left the field in the 11th over.

“Unfortunately it’s a dislocated shoulder for Jhye Richardson,” Cricket Australia tweeted.

The governing body added on its website that the 22-year-old — who has gone from strength to strength in recent months — was due to fly back to Perth on Monday and undergo scans to assess the damage.

“He’s obviously pretty shattered but he’s trying to stay upbeat,” team-mate Nathan Lyon told reporters in Sharjah. “It’s very disappointing, especially off the back of the summer that Jhye’s had. The way he’s been performing has been pretty impressive. Fingers crossed he can be fit for the World Cup and be in the selection [mix] there.”

Losing another quick bowler is a big blow for Australia barely two months out from the World Cup with frontline strike bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also battling injuries.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2019