Australian fast bowler –Kane Richardson has had a great outing in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) 2017-18, finishing up with 12 wickets in 10 matches, bowling in power play and death overs, at an average of 26.16 for Melbourne Renegades.

Richardson, who has played 15 ODIs and 5 T20Is for Australia, had also a decent outing at Sheffield Shield 2017, taking 32 wickets at an average of 26. He is a part of the Australian squad for the T20I tri-series and in most probability will play against England tomorrow. 

Despite being in brilliant form with the ball, Richardson decided to not put his name for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018. The South Australian pacer went on to reveal the reason that he is currently just focusing on making Test debut for Australia.

Speaking to Cricket Australia, Richardson said, “It’s a hard decision because of the financial rewards. Not a lot of guys do it. I’ve put in a little bit more of a goal to play more Shield cricket and I thought if I play upwards of seven Shield games, the body is going to need a fair bit of a rest.”

The pacer made headlines when he was bought by the Pune Warriors in the IPL Auction 2013 for $700,000 –the third-highest paid player, despite playing just six first-class matches back then. He played only three matches for Warriors. In 2014, he was representing Rajasthan Royals, playing 14 matches and taking 11 wickets, then he was retained by the same franchise for the 2015 season but he withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons. In 2016, Kane represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL and has taken seven wickets in four matches.

Richardson further said that he is still only 27 and is confident he might get chances in future to play in the lucrative Indian T20 league, but at the moment he just wants to enter into Test folds.

He added, “I experienced it (the IPL) as a young bloke and made a little bit of money over there so that makes it easier having had that happen. I’m still only 27 next so hopefully, I can get over there a few more times.”

On being asked about his prospect of making a Test debut, Richardson said, “I’m still a long way away from playing Test cricket but it’s still a goal to play. Whether or not (missing) the IPL helps that, I’m not sure. I’m pretty big on giving the body a rest and building back up through the preseason in Adelaide and hopefully playing more cricket throughout our home summer.”

There was one more reason for his decision, Richardson signed off by saying, “I am actually getting married in April. A bit of pressure to stay at home this year.”