Kane's credentials stacking up in T20 job audition

Despite being a familiar face in Australia's white ball teams this year, fast bowler Kane Richardson admits he still feels he is auditioning for his place every time he takes the field.

Richardson was the pick of the bowlers in Sunday's washout in Sydney, taking 2-16 from three overs against world No.1 Pakistan the match was abandoned with the hosts in a commanding position. 

As of today, the 28-year-old is in Australia's best T20 side alongside seasoned seamers Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins but is refusing to look as far ahead as next year's T20 World Cup in Australia.

For Richardson knows better than most how quickly things can change, having been a last-minute replacement for namesake Jhye Richardson in Australia's World Cup squad earlier this year, where he played two matches and claimed five wickets. 

And given that T20 gun bowlers like Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye are on the sidelines with injury, the right-armer says each match for his country is a job interview in front of the national selectors. 

"I know a lot can change in a year," Richardson said in Canberra today ahead of Tuesday's second Gillette T20I at Manuka Oval.

"I learnt that in the 50-over World Cup just gone, getting called up about two days before the team left.

"It's just about trying to perform every single time I get the opportunity to take the field.

"I feel like I'm almost playing for a job going forward because there are so many good bowlers around. I would never look too far ahead (to the T20 World Cup)."

So far it seems Richardson's audition for a T20 World Cup berth is going well.

In 2019, he is Australia's most economical T20 bowler among those who have sent down at least eight overs, conceding just 5.64 runs per over.

That's an impressive figure given he bowls in the Powerplay, with the field up and at the back end when opposition batters are trying to hit every delivery to the rope or over it.

Richardson says he has not made any drastic changes from the game plan that netted him a league-high 24 wickets for KFC BBL|08 champions Melbourne Renegades last summer, and subsequent selection in Australia's limited-overs teams.

But the South Australian has been developing slower balls, like the one he delivered to Asif Ali at the SCG which was skied to Ashton Agar in the deep. 

"As a fast bowler that (slower balls and execution) is what you live and die on, especially towards the back end of the innings and in the Powerplay," he said.

"It's always just about trying to get better and learn from guys who do that well."

Gillette T20 INTLs v Pakistan

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

November 3: First T20I, SCG, No result

November 5: Second T20I, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

November 8: Third T20I, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)