Kerry Richards - never give up
Bob Wilson | August 07, 2023
Kerry Richards played 15 seasons at Western Suburbs and 6 for Sutherland. He was a part of a very strong Western Suburbs team of the early 1970s which included many first class players including Bob Simpson, Peter Toohey, Gary Gilmour, Brian Rhodes and Steve Rixon to name a few.
It's well worth sharing, Kerry was one of the very best at short leg
It’s good to catch up with an old mate, welcome Kerry
What year you were born?
1952
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 6 years old. My mind is a blur, but it was at Concord Primary School in the playground. Sport was different in those days!
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Attending Newington College at 7 years was my pathway to cricket. I could only manage the 13B's, but from then on I managed to play Green Shield at Western Suburbs for two years followed by Poidevin Gray.
Playing first grade for a very strong Western Suburbs was a highlight and it was closely followed by winning three Premiership caps, I was lucky enough to be selected in the Sydney Metropolitan XI and I scored a century along with Bob Rheinberger from Waverley
What other sports did you play?
Rugby, squash, mountain biking (B.C bike race, Trans Rockies, Simpson Desert (5-7 day races)
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
Invincible. Vince Papale
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
1965 NSW AJA u/16 state middleweight judo champion
What’s your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored 123 for the Metropolitan 2nd XI at the SCG no2
Can you tell us which players in the club we should be looking out for in terms of higher representative honours?
Peter Toohey, Steve Rixon, Gary Gilmour, Brian Rhodes, Stuart Webster. Pleased to say the selectors listened to my thoughts!!
Peter Toohey batting at Pratten Park
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Jeff Thomson the quickest by a country mile then David Colley and Geoff Lawson
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Peter Ferguson who was as prodigious left arm spinner who on his day was unplayable and also Murray Bennett, and Greg. Matthews
Who has been the best 2 batsman you’ve played against?
Back then State and test cricketers often played grade cricket. Alan Turner from Randwick was always a handful while Warren Saunders was always problematic, many others who come to mind, luckily the best were playing with Wests!!
Who played the best innings you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?
Bob Simpson was the ultimate professional however I would have to say Peter Toohey on a wet track scored a century which was simply astounding. He used his feet to the spinners, often lofting them for 6. Gary Gilmorur v St George scored a quick fire 50 in one match blasting every bowler out of the paddock. I recall a sweep shot which cleaned up an elderly spectator, hitting his glasses. He was taken to hospital, shaken and bloodied, but thankfully he was ok.
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?
Steve Rixon (Stumpa) by the length of the street. His nickname says it all.
Steve Rixon keeping for NSW
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brian O'Dowd (Grumpy) was a classic,although he didn't realise it. You never knew what side of the bed Brian had got out of. He was suspended by Wests on one occasion after some unruly Wests supporters heckled him for slow batting. Upon his dismissal Brian immediately walked around to where they were sitting near the sightscreen and with bat raised threatened to knock their heads off!! Grumpy got in trouble for that one!!
Who was your childhood hero?
Doug Walters springs to mind. Who could forget that fist up century v the English....The incredible thing is that time flies, the next thing I knew was playing against Cumberland, including K.D Walters
Who is sports person you’d most like to meet?
Squash player Heather MacKay,
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O'Keefe
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Outside of Wests and Sutherland, I’d say Brian Booth and Warren Saunders.
In the 1970's era, sledging was an art, not like the junk it often is today. The game was played hard but fair with no quarter given followed by a few beers with the opposition. Always good value!
Did you ever play cricket overseas?
I travelled to England and played County 2nds for Northamptonshire in 1973. I returned from England after my stint with Northants and rooming with Wayne Larkins who later played for Sutherland and Test cricket for England. When I played for Northants they were very strong with internationals Mushtaq Mohammed, Bishen Bedi, Bob Cottam, David Steele and Sarfraz Nawaz in their ranks.
Wayne Larkins batting for Northants in County Cricket
You also played 1st Grade Rugby Union didn’t you?
Yes I was watching a Club match at Port Hacking, now known as Southern Districts and I recall my entire body began tingling with adrenalin as I watched.
I played the following season with Port Hacking but had several shoulder dislocations which kept me out of sport for several months. In 1977 I was placed second in the Sydney Morning Herald Best and Fairest rugby while I was lucky enough to play for Combined NSW 2nd Division
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The camaraderie
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Too many....teammates, selections, certain catches at short leg spring to mind
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
No one likes an easy victory but winning the 1st Grade Belvidere Cup is a standout especially the first
What are your hobbies?
Ornithology, mountain biking, watching cricket and rugby!!
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never give up
What are your cricketing ambitions?
That's a secret!!
Thanks Kerry for the interview, we will catch at Cronulla Golf Club when I venture down into the Shire and have beer with yourself and Steve Rixon.
Not a problem Bob, we will get Stumpa to shout.
