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Jhye Richardson is set to undergo a third surgery on his problematic right shoulder, after dislocating the joint celebrating a wicket back in November.
Jhye Richardson is set for another lengthy stint on the sidelines due to surgery on the shoulder he dislocated while high-fiving teammates in November.
The West Australian confirmed on Sunday his BBL and Sheffield Shield campaigns were over, having opted to go under the knife in a bid to stabilise the joint.
The operation will rule him out long term, with the quick aiming to be back for next summer ahead of the home Ashes.
Richardson's setback continues a wretched run for the 28-year-old, who has had two previous surgeries on the same right shoulder.
He has also suffered serious hamstring and side injuries in the past two years, stopping to him adding to his three Tests.
"I've made the decision to undergo shoulder surgery to improve stability and reduce the risk of future injury," Richardson said in a statement from WA Cricket.
'"For the past few years, I have been limited by my shoulder in the field and know how increasingly important it is to be capable to back up my teammates.
"While it's a tough call, especially as it means I won't be able to finish the season with the Scorchers, this is the best option to set me up for a strong and healthy return to cricket.
"The timing of the surgery is crucial to ensure I have the best possible build up, including Shield cricket leading into next summer."
This latest setback is a blow not just to Richardson but Australian cricket.
The right-armer is viewed as the best quick of any aged in their late-20s, and would ideally be one of Australia's current back-up bowlers.
He was added to Australia's squad for the Boxing Day, and looked a chance to play against India in Sydney before Mitchell Starc overcame a rib injury.
More frustrating for Richardson will be the manner in which this injury happened.
He took two wickets in his comeback game in the Sheffield Shield at the Adelaide Oval in November, before grabbing at his shoulder after celebrating the second of the dismissals.
The West Australian left the field for some 30 minutes to be assessed by medical staff, before returning to the ground and continuing to bowl.
"I think I just got caught in a funny position over there in Adelaide, probably just got a little bit too excited," Richardson said of the incident last month.
"I was pretty happy with the ball that I bowled, and just got a bit too excited and decided to slap a few hands a little bit too hard.
"I mean, it does sound silly, but ... maybe we'll stick with the low fives instead of the high fives.
"But that's just another thing that we deal with. I've dealt enough with my shoulder over the last few years. It's just another thing to add to the basket."
The injury has proven a persistent issue for Richardson, who first dislocated the shoulder while fielding against Pakistan in an ODI in the UAE in 2019.