'Breaking the stereotype of fast bowlers is what I've been trying' – Richardson

Richardson, just 22 years of age, pinpointed South Africa’s Dale Steyn as a strong influence upon his bowling. “He’s a similar sort of build, the untraditional I guess you could say, fast bowler, quite skinny and not as tall as everybody else,” said Richardson. “He proved that he could be a class bowler with that sort of build and bowl at some extreme pace. Breaking the stereotype of fast bowlers is what I've been trying to do."

It was a day to remember for the Western Australia speedster, who after being presented his Baggy Green by former Australia bowler Damien Fleming, finished with figures of 3/26 to help his side bowl Sri Lanka out for just 144. Despite collecting his maiden scalp in the twelfth over of the opening session – Dinesh Chandimal edging one to Joe Burns at second slip – Richardson explained that it took some time to truly find his rhythm with the ball in hand.

“I probably didn’t feel as comfortable as I would have liked in my first couple of overs. It probably took me a little bit to really get going. For me to see the ball swing, that’s a big key for me – if the ball’s swinging then I’m instantly more confident in what I’m doing and to get that first wicket, it just releases a lot of emotion, a lot of built up tension that you might have. I guess the longer it goes on, the harder you might try, so it was good to get it relatively early.”

The movement on offer with the pink ball was a pleasant sight for Richardson, on a day that saw twelve wickets fall in total.

“For everyone to see the ball swing, it’s exciting for the fans, it’s exciting for us, it’s exciting for everyone. I think it brings the bowlers into the game a little bit more. This was a fantastic wicket, it’ll be nice to see what happens over the next four days. To see the ball swing that early and then to see it nip around again under lights, I think it’s great to see, I think it’s perfect.”

It has been an impressive last 12 months for Richardson since his ODI debut against England last January – he removed Virat Kohli in all three of Australia’s ODIs against India this month. Nevertheless, the Test debutant isn’t looking too far ahead in a year that will see Australia follow the ICC Cricket World Cup with an Ashes tour to England.

"As soon as you starting thinking about what could come ahead or what's coming up for you, then I think all these different emotions get better of you, and you starting trying harder and you might not be bowling at your best. For me, concentrating on day two is my next focus and then obviously concentrating on day three. We have something up in the changing room that the team likes to go by - the next ball is the most important thing in your life at that moment."