Richardson returns for injured Paris

Perth Scorchers have received a massive boost ahead of their vital clash against Adelaide Strikers on Thursday with paceman Jhye Richardson released from national duties for the match.

Australian selectors confirmed today that Richardson has been released from its ODI squad for the BBL game at the WACA Ground, which will determine who finishes the season on top of the ladder.

While both the Strikers and Scorchers have already secured a home semi-final, the team that finishes on top of the ladder will host the grand final should they win their semi.

Richardson comes into the Scorchers squad in place of injured left-armer Joel Paris, while Test batsman Shaun Marsh is not yet deemed fit enough to play due to a minor quad injury.

The Strikers have made two changes to their squad; captain Travis Head will miss due to ODI duty, having been released for Monday's clash in Melbourne, while Peter Siddle has been rested. Paceman Wes Agar and batsman Kelvin Smith come into their 13-man squad.

Richardson impressed on ODI debut in Brisbane last week and this week was named in Australia's Test squad for their Qantas Tour of South Africa.

But with a full-strength Aussie pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins (supported by Richardson's Scorchers teammate Andrew Tye) in Adelaide for Friday's match against England, selectors have allowed Richardson to return to Perth for BBL duties.

Similarly, ODI squad members Cameron White and Head were released to play Monday's match between Melbourne Renegades and the Strikers before they re-joined the Aussie camp in Adelaide. However, Aussie opener and Renegades captain Aaron Finch was not released for that match.

The fact White and Head were made available for Monday night's clash, and Richardson for Thursday's match, is a deviation from previous games and previous seasons. For example, four ODI squad members (Finch, White, Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis) were not available for a BBL Melbourne derby at Etihad Stadium on January 12, which was played two days before the opening ODI against England at the MCG.

Last week, White conceded the fact that Big Bash clubs lose their best players to the national side midway through the tournament is "unfortunate", but added that playing for Australia remains every domestic cricketer's priority.

"The fans want to see Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc playing Big Bash as well, but I guess that’s the million-dollar question. What will have to give for that to happen?” the Victorian told SEN.

"I think Cricket Australia want to keep the Big Bash in that school holiday period, so I think that timeframe is pretty set. It’s just a bit more unfortunate for the franchise and the fans.

"I think the important thing to note is from a player’s point of view the number one thing for any player in Australian cricket is to play for your country.

"Unfortunately, that means at the moment you may miss a few games of the Big Bash which you have to cop I guess as a player."

While Richardson has been a strong performer for the Scorchers in recent years, he'll be desperate to improve on his past three games where he returned combined figures of 1-144 at an economy rate of 12.

Scorchers squad: Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Will Bosisto, Tim Bresnan, Hilton Cartwright, Tim David, Mitchell Johnson, Matthew Kelly, Michael Klinger, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman

Strikers squad: Colin Ingram (c), Alex Carey (wk), Wes Agar, Jono Dean, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O'Connor, Billy Stanlake, Kelvin Smith, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells