Sheffield Shield 2024/25, SOA vs WA Match Report 13, 23-26 November 2024

South Australia Route 139 for 4 (Hunt 71*, Nielsen 48*, Richardson 3-26) Western Australia 373 (Goodwin 139, Turner 79, Doggett 5-97, Johnson 3-108) in runs

Opener Conor McInerney, No. 3 Daniel Drew and No. 4 Jake Lehmann were dismissed on their first ball as SA fell to 2 for 3.

Richardson, playing his first Shield game in a year, caused the early drama with wickets on consecutive deliveries from McInerney and Drew in his first over.

Richardson, bowling the pink ball long distances before dusk fell, produced a fine swinger to trap left-handed McInerney’s leg before the wicket. Next ball, he delivered a huge swinger to right-hander Drew for another lbw.

Richardson ran down the field and celebrated with his teammates with a high-five, but then squatted while clutching his right shoulder. The 28-year-old was returning to Shield cricket after a series of shoulder, hamstring and side injuries.

Richardson, who played the last of his three Tests in December 2021 before his miserable career with injury, walked off the field with help while delicately holding his right arm. But after being assessed by medical staff, he returned to action about 30 minutes later and continued bowling.

He was able to add the wicket of Thomas Kelly, caught at second slip, although he was careful with his celebrations.

After Richardson left the field, Lance Morris, another returnee to Shield cricket, removed Lehmann for SA’s third golden duck.

Earlier, WA’s Goodwin scored his second first-class ton, hitting 14 fours in his 272-ball knock. Goodwin, son of Zimbabwe Test player Murray, and Ashton Turner, thwarted a South Australian bowling attack led by Brendan Doggett and Spencer Johnson.