Fast bowler Jhye Richardson appears to have escaped serious injury after a bizarre incident during his Sheffield Shield return on Sunday.
The injury-prone WA quick hurt his right shoulder while celebrating his second wicket in as many balls against South Australia.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jhye Richardson hurts shoulder in freak incident.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Richardson trapped Connor McInerney and Daniel Drew lbw in consecutive deliveries, but after a series of high-fives with teammates, he bent down clutching his right shoulder in worrying scenes.
He was taken from the field for further assessment, which raised concerns of another serious setback.
Remarkably, Lance Morris was brought on to bowl what would have been Richardson’s hat-trick ball and took the wicket of Jake Lehmann – for another golden duck – caught behind.
Richardson spent about 30 minutes off the field before he was cleared to return to action.
And he immediately struck in his first over back, dismissing Tom Kelly caught at slip.
The three-Test quick has been long flagged for a return to international cricket, but his past two seasons have been cruelled by injury blows, including shoulder issues.
The clash with South Australia is his first game of first-class cricket since November 2023.
His last Test match was three years ago in Adelaide against England when he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul.
More to come …