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Stabroek News

Richardson back in the fold
published: Friday | August 26, 2005

Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer


HINDS

ANDREW RICHARDSON was shaping up to explode into the Test arena in 2000 when a stress fracture to the back relegated him to the sidelines.

The Jamaican pacer came back with a bang last year though, taking 36 wickets in nine games at an average of 18.50. His back held up pretty well and now the young paceman, who turns 24 in September, is looking to get on with his career once more.

On Wednesday he was included in a 28-man Jamaican squad for the upcoming regional one-day tournament.

Despite being without a Test cap, Richardson is expected to be the lead paceman alongside West Indies paceman Daren Powell, Dwight Washington and fellow injury-prone bowler Jerome Taylor. If he makes the cut at the trials, it will be Richardson's third season of first-class cricket and his second for Jamaica. The recipient of the Andy Roberts Award for the most promising fast bowler after last year's performance is not too worried about being among the elite when the selectors reduce the squad.

"My inclusion in the squad was something I expected. I am not worried about other players or about making the team," Richardson said yesterday.

"I know I will do well. It is just for me to go there and do my best. Whichever team, whatever level I play, I always give my all and that can only help me".

WICKETS

Richardson recently returned from the United Kingdom where he played in the Essex Division One cricket championship. He came back in time to represent Kingston Cricket Club in one game of the Capital and Credit limited-overs competition where he took three wickets against the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in the first round.

However, a niggling pain in one of his shoulders prevented him from playing since but, according to the pacer, he is fit again and ready to go.

"The thing about injury is that sometimes you never know if it means you career is over. When I picked up that injury in Australia the doctors said I would be out for about two weeks. It turned out to be a stress fracture and kept me out much longer than that," Richardson said.

"That injury really put my career on hold but because of that I am more determined to do well. I thought I would have got a big break a long time ago but the injury robbed me. That is behind me now as far as my career goes. I am fit, I am OK and I am ready to get on with it," he said.

When coach Robert Haynes and physical trainer David Bernard assemble the side for training, they will get a chance to see 27 other players along with Richardson working out. Manchester's Andre Dwyer, for his 58 wickets in the Supreme Ventures Super Cup two-day competition, earns a call up to the national team. Dwyer's teammates Gary Graham and Donovan Sinclair have also been given a look in.

Also making a move up the ladder are former Jamaica Under-15 pacer Kamal Dennis who plays for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and batsman Tyson Gordon of St. Mary.

Wrist spinner Alton Beckford, one of the three Jamaicans included in the West Indies Under-19 squad, has also been summoned. Beckford took 24 wickets in the just concluded TCL Group West Indies Under-19 tournament.

Also present will be West Indies representatives Wavell Hinds (who is expected to be named captain), Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Xavier Marshall, David Bernard Jnr., Carlton Baugh Jnr., Washington, Powell and Taylor.

Former West Indies player and Jamaica captain Gareth Breese along with Tamar Lambert, who captained the team before Hinds took over last year, spinners Odean Brown, Bevan Brown and Nikita Miller and wicketkeeper batsman Keith Hibbert, Danza Hyatt, Brenton Parchment, Evon McInnis, Dwight Stewart, Lorenzo Ingram and Shawn Findlay have also been invited.

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