Corey Richards - stay ahead of the game
Paul Ryan | January 11, 2024
Corey Richards was a wonderful cricketer. Technically very correct and could play shots all around the ground and he was an excellent fielder.
It might sound a bit strange but as a wicket keeper playing against Corey, you didn’t mind him scoring a few runs.
Corey played 55 first class games for New South Wales and Australia scoring 2,953 runs at an average of 31.41 with 7 centuries and 15 half centuries. His highest score in first class cricket was 164.
In 81 limited overs games for New South Wales Corey scored 2,176 runs at an average of 32.47 with 3 centuries and 13 half centuries. His highest score in one day cricket was 151.
In his prime Corey could mix it with the very best as can be seen in this NSW ING Cup team.
The thieves of imagination will say Corey was the only player not to play test cricket and they’d be right and Corey would be the first to admit it. I look at it a different way and say, “imagine being the quality of player to be in this team. “ He was that good a player.
Corey started the 1998-99 Sheffield Shield with 3 centuries in the first 3 games and was selected in the Australia A team to play a 4-day game against the touring England team in Hobart. The game was played between the 3rd and 4th test.
Corey batted 3 for the Australia A team with Greg Blewett and Matthew Elliott opening the batting. Darren Lehmann was the captain batting 4, Stuart Law at 5 and Michael Bevan at 6. Not a bad top 6.
In the first innings Corey was dismissed for a duck but in the 2nd innings along with Greg Blewett they put on a match winning partnership of 345 to help Australia A win by 9 wickets. Greg Blewett scored 213 not out and Corey was unbeaten on 138.
In Sydney Grade Cricket Corey played for Campbelltown- Camden Cricket Club and Bankstown District Cricket Club. He won multiple first grade premierships with Bankstown and is currently the clubs head coach.
He scored 9,056 first grade runs in 253 innings at an average of 41.16 from 1992 to 2008. He hit 25 first grade centuries and 40 half centuries.
Upon retirement Corey moved into coaching and has spent time with NSW, Sydney Sixers and Bangladesh. He was the coach of the Sydney Sixers when they won the Champions League in South Africa in 2012.
I had the good fortune of playing in Corey’s first NSW 2ndXI game in Brisbane against Queensland. He’d only just turned 19 and he scored 13 and 24 but still showed the immense talent of what was to come in his career. We lost the game by 2 wickets, and as we arrived at Brisbane Airport to head back to Sydney, we we’re not overly impressed to find out our plane was to be delayed.
What to do to fill in time. The games people play. The fun and the cherished memory of a nickname that has stood the test of time.
Let’s find out more about Spoons journey in the game.
NSW Under 19 cricket 1992-93
Back Row – Craig Glassock, Corey Doyle, Ben Rennie, Greg Trevena, Matthew Nicholson, Jeremy Bray, Paul Pratt, Paul Maraziotis, Clive Cruickshank
Front Row – Heath Muller, Robert Schubert, Ken Shine (Coach), Nathan Ashley (Captain), David Moore (Manager), Corey Richards, Joshua Singh
NSW Under 19 Cricket team 1993-94
Back row - Robert Smith, Ben Rennie, Garry Sheen
Middle row - Steve Thomlinson (Manager), Robert Aitken, Ashley Shoebridge, Matthew Nicholson, Greg Trevena, David Moore (Coach)
Front row - Brett Lee, Shane Deitz, Corey Richards (captain), Graeme Cunningham, Jason Holley, Lee Kirk
What year you were born?
1975
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Under 10’s for Bradbury CC at Waminda Oval in Campbelltown. I batted number 11 and didn’t get a bat.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I grew up in Campbelltown and played my junior cricket there. I represented 2 grade clubs, Campbelltown DCC and moved to Bankstown DCC when I was 20. I spent a few seasons in the UK with Redcar CC, Kendal CC, West of Scotland CC, Ayr CC and Greenock CC and represented Scotland in the County 1 day competition for a few seasons. Represented NSW and Australia A between 1995/96 and 2005/06
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I played a 5th Grade game with Campbelltown when I was 12 as a fill in at St Gregs College in Campbelltown.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket, and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 17 and the game was against Manly, like my first ever game of cricket, I batted number 5 and didn’t get a bat. My first innings was 27 not out against Gordon in the next game.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a top order batsman who bowled occasionally.
Corey Richards batting for NSW
What were your strengths as a player?
My batting technique was compact, and I was pretty versatile where I could bat in the order.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I managed to score a couple of 1st Grade double hundreds for Bankstown, 200 not out against Gordon and 203 not out against Western Suburbs.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5/17 in 1st Grade for Campbelltown against Sutherland
You played 55 first class games for NSW and Australia A and 81 one day games for New South Wales, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected to make your debut for New South Wales, who did you play and what do you remember about your first-class debut?
I received an unexpected call from Alan Campbell, the NSW Chairman of Selectors when I was 5 schooners deep in a pub with my mate Dale Turner, I was 20 years old and played against the West Indies. It was quite daunting as I was opening the batting against Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, and Ian Bishop during their prime. I remember David Freedman spinning the WI team out on Day 1 taking 8/49, Richard Chee Quee scored a 100 and I made 20 odd in each innings.
Corey Richards playing for Scotland
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Tough question but if I had to pick it would be:
Bruce Reid
Michael Kasprowicz
Paul Reiffel
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Matthews unbelievable flight, turn and control for a finger spinner.
Stuart MacGill put more revs on the ball than anyone I have seen and when he was on he could decimate a batting order in both 1- and 4-day cricket.
Shane Warne goes without saying, amazing skill and extremely intimidating.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
During the 90’s and 2000’s I could honestly name 20.
Darren Lehmann was a run machine and one of the best players of spin I have seen.
Martin Love was so elegant, had so much time and never looked rushed, even against guys bowling 140 kph+
Ricky Ponting, he made 200 against us in Hobart without raising a sweat.
Honourable mentions to Brad Hodge, Damien Martyn, Dean Jones
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
There have been plenty of good ones, but Greg Blewett made 169x and 213x in the same match against England in 1998/99. I was lucky to be down the other end for most of that 213x and it was unbelievable to watch.
Corey Richards and Greg Blewett
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Paul Reiffel and Stuart Clark, generally bowlers who continually challenged your decision making by bowling a lot of deliveries in the area of apprehension.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
In one of my early Sheffield Shield games, we played against Western Australia in Sydney and were looking to save the game in the 2nd innings. I was batting with Michael Bevan who was doing what Bevo normally did and made batting look easy, and we were up against a formidable attack that included Bruce Reid. I literally could not lay bat on him for an hour as he was rolling his fingers down the side of the ball on a day 4 SCG pitch and it was like facing 130kmh left arm orthodox. We managed to save the game in the end, so the embarrassment was temporary.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Haddin and Phil Emery were exceptional. You had to be exceptional, keeping at the SCG to Greg Matthews Stuart MacGill turning them square.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Michael Bevan, his batting craftsmanship was unbelievable, and he carried the NSW batting unit for close to 10 years. Batting with Bevo was brilliant and it helped me because I looked up to him and I didn’t want to let him down.
Ken Hall from Bankstown DCC. What a legend, not only played but competed in 1st Grade cricket well into his 50’s and when he spoke you listened. He always put the team first and is one of my favourite teammates that I had the privilege of playing with.
Ken Hall
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Brad McNamara was, and still is a very funny man to be around.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
We got bowled out cheaply in a game and had to follow on. The captain absolutely gave it to our top order about our performance and said that he was going to open the batting and show us how it is done…. He got out 1st ball.
Two days after I got my nickname “Spoons” I played a grade game against St George and when I went out to bat to take guard, there was a silver spoon on the crease.
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border and Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and I probably wouldn’t need a 3rd.
Tiger Woods
What was your favourite ground to play at?
MCG
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
As head Coach of the Sydney Sixers winning the Champions League in South Africa in 2012.
Coach Corey Richards - Sydney Sixers
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I have more than 3, Kevin Roberts, David Freedman, Dean Magee, Paul Maraziotis, Shane Duff and Brett Lee.
Bankstown District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 1999-2000
Back Row – Arthur Couper (Scorer), Kym Beazleigh, Hilal Dannaqui, Nathan Bracken, Greg Trevena, Ken Hall, Ray Hall (Coaching team)
Middle Row – Eris Dignam (Treasurer), Daniel Moy, Corey Richards, Paul Maraziotis, Matthew Betsey, Anthony Smith, Shane Duff, Ray Richards (Manager)
Front Row – Martin Klump (Hon. Secretary), Sean McKiernan, Wayne Holdsworth (Vice Captain), Kevin Roberts (captain), David Freedman, Vaughan Williams, Brian Freedman (President)
Insert – Daniel Benson
Bankstown District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 2006-07
Back Row - Shane Duff (Coach), Simon Keen, David Freedman, James Allsopp, Scott Truashiem, Brett Van Deinsen, Daniel Burns, Ken Hall (Manager)
Front Row - Darren Ettridge, Daniel Waugh, Scott Thompson (Captain), Corey Richards, Aaron Bird, Chris Gane
What are your hobbies?
I love my golf but don’t play nearly enough.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“Stay ahead of the game” which can be used for some many instances in cricket and in life.
What is your occupation?
Senior Business Development Manager at RSEA Safety. I am responsible tendering for State and National opportunities, winning them and implementing them into the business.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Head Coach Bankstown DCC
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
- Pick players who are in form regardless of whether they have a state contract or not.
- Prioritise grade cricket as the pathway to State Cricket.
