Peter Richardson (cricketer)

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = English
country = England
country abbrev = ENG
name = Peter Richardson
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Left-hand bat
bowling style = Right-arm bowler
tests = 34
test runs = 2061
test bat avg = 37.47
test 100s/50s = 5/9
test top score = 126
test balls = 120
test wickets = 3
test bowl avg = 16.00
test 5s = -
test 10s = -
test best bowling = 2/10
test catches/stumpings = 6/-
FCs = 454
FC runs = 26055
FC bat avg = 34.60
FC 100s/50s = 44/140
FC top score = 185
FC balls = 763
FC wickets = 11
FC bowl avg = 45.36
FC 5s = -
FC 10s = -
FC best bowling = 2/10
FC catches/stumpings = 220/-
debut date = 7 June
debut year = 1956
last date = 4 July
last year = 1963
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/19386.html

Peter Edward Richardson (born July 4 1931) is a former cricketer who played for Worcestershire, Kent and England.

A tall, fair-haired, left-handed opening batsman, Richardson played as an amateur for Worcestershire and was a near-instant success on his arrival as a regular in the side in 1952. Four years later, he had a similarly quick impact in his first Test series, the 1956 Ashes series, scoring 81 and 73 in his first match, and following it up with 104 at Old Trafford in a match famous for Jim Laker's 19 wickets. He was first choice opener for England for a further two home series, but then had a poor series in Australia in 1958-59, when England lost the Ashes comprehensively.

Richardson's relative failure in Australia was undoubtedly influenced by a dispute with Worcestershire over the captaincy, which he had taken over in 1956, and his amateur status. In the summer of 1958, Richardson announced that he wanted to become a professional and to move to Kent; Worcestershire opposed the move, and Richardson was effectively barred from competitive cricket in the batsman's summer of 1959, losing his Test place too while he waited to qualify for his new county. By the time he resumed his county career in 1960, other left-handed opening batsmen – Geoff Pullar and Raman Subba Row – had moved ahead of him in the competition for England places.

Richardson played on for Kent until 1965, when he drifted out of cricket. He toured Pakistan and India in 1961-62, batting mostly down the order, but played only one further Test match in England, in 1963 against the West Indies, when he made just 2 and 14 against the might of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith.

Richardson's two brothers also played first-class cricket. Derek Walter "Dick" Richardson was a middle-order batsman for Worcestershire and played one Test, alongside Peter Richardson, for England in 1957. Brian Richardson was an occasional player for Warwickshire.

Peter Richardson was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1957.

Personal Life

Peter is now married to Shirley Walker and has three children:John Richardson (married to Helena), William Richardson (married to Rosanna Ventrice, with two children Isabella Richardson and Jack Richardson, who plays cricket for Kent Spitfires), and Edward Richardson.