Perth Scorchers lose Jhye Richardson for remainder of BBL regular season

Ruled out for between two and three weeks, the reigning champions will be without their leading wicket-taker this season until the playoffs begin later this month

Jhye Richardson faces missing the remainder of the Big Bash League regular season after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Australia seamer is expected to be ruled out for between two and three weeks after scans revealed a minor strain.

Richardson limped off with two balls of his final over in the six-wicket defeat to Sydney Thunder.

"It's on the very minor end of a hamstring strain," head coach Adam Voges said.

"Unfortunately, it's the same hamstring that he did injure six to 12 months ago so we may need to take the cautious route.

^{Richardson's 15 wickets had helped Scorchers top the BBL table (Will Russell/Getty Images)}

"I think you need to (be cautious) with someone of Jhye's calibre, but we've got a world-class medical staff here and I'll trust them to put the work in with Jhye.

"Hopefully we'll get him back on the park as soon as possible."

Scorchers are currently top of the BBL table with seven group matches remaining. Should the defending champions secure a top-five finish they'll be involved in the playoffs which begin from January 27.

Only Henry Thornton has taken more than the 15 wickets collected by Richardson during BBL|12.

^{David Payne is among the options available to the Scorchers (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)}

Though the 26-year-old faces another period on the sidelines they are boosted by Lance Morris being released from Australia's Test squad, making him available to face Brisbane Heat on Saturday (January 7).

Alternative options include David Payne, the Gloucestershire and Welsh Fire left-armer who debuted for England in June, who is available after joining up as Tymal Mills' replacement.

"He arrived just in the new year," Voges added. "He's settled in really well. 

"He's had a couple of training sessions with us. And we'll have another hit out today. Quality left-arm seamer, who can swing the ball. And if he gets his opportunity tomorrow, I'm sure he'll do a really good job."

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