this month marks the fifth anniversary of alan richardson’s decision to hang up his boots and concentrate on the coaching side of the game.
but worcestershire’s initial loss on the field of their main strike bowler has now become their gain off the pitch.
for newcastle-under-lyme born richardson has become a key part of the county’s coaching set-up after cutting his teeth initially in that department with local rivals warwickshire.
worcestershire supporters were saddened when richardson opted to retire in january 2014 at the age of 38 after taking 254 county championship wickets in just four seasons at New Road.
he became a county legend in that relatively short period of time with his consistent and superb efforts with the ball and in 2012 was named one of the wisden cricketers of the year.
but his final season, in 2013, saw richardson’s most remarkable spell of wicket-taking when in just over a week he picked up 24 wickets in two championship games.
staunch stoke city supporter ‘richo’ began that period with 5-41 and 7-22 versus kent at canterbury and followed it with 8-37 and 4-70 against gloucestershire at New Road.
his overall figures for that period were 84.2-29-170-24.
members and supporters were delighted when richardson returned to the county for the 2018 season and, alongside alex gidman, played a massive role in the club’s white ball success, culminating in the vitality blast triumph.
now bowling coach-assistant coach richardson is overseeing the exciting and talented crop of pacemen emerging at New Road – and they can only benefit from his knowledge and experience.
