14 Facts about Dave Richardson- A lawyer turned cricketer

14 Facts about Dave Richardson- A lawyer turned cricketer: David John Richardson is a former South African wicket-keeper batsman. He was an active member of the South African cricket team after the isolation period in the rainbow nation. Dave played for 7 years after South Africa made its return to international cricket in 1991. In the era of 1990s he was one of the most prominent Wicket-keepers going around in the world.

His wicket-keeping skills were exceptional and he seldom disappointed his team by dropping catches. As far as his batting is concerned he could never do justice to his talents but yet his gritty attitude on the field and never say die spirit earned him many accolades.

Today, on his 56th birthday we list 14 Facts about Dave Richardson- A Lawyer turned Cricketer:

1. Birth:

Dave Richardson was born on 16 September, 1959 in Johannesburg, Transvaal.

2. Family:

Cricket runs in Richardson’s blood. His father John Henry Richardson, brother Ralph Richardson and cousin Rory Richardson were all First-Class cricketers. While his son Michael Richardson is following the footsteps of his grandfather and father as he is a wicket-keeper batsman at First-Class level as well.

3. Domestic teams:

In his entire cricketing career he represented only two teams at the domestic level and they were Eastern Province and Northern Transvaal. From 1978 to 1983, he represented Eastern Province team while for 1 year between 1983 and 1984 he played for Northern Transvaal. Then he finally came back to Eastern Province side and represented them from 1984 to 1998.

4. Lawyer:

The South African wicket-keeper batsman was a lawyer by profession. With the tactics he learned as a law graduate Dave Richardson also proved to be an astute cricketing brain.

5. International debut:

Dave Richardson made his ODI debut against India in 1991. He batted at no.10 position and made 4 runs while behind the wicket he held on to 2 catches. Richardson made his Test debut against West Indies in 1992 and scored 10 runs while he took 6 catches as a glove-man.

6. Trademark style:

Everyone has his own unique style for which he is renowned. As for Dave Richardson it was his trademark sunhat and brown gloves which became a household image for everyone who followed cricket at that time.

7. High point:

Richardson’s moment of glory came against New Zealand in a 3-match Test series which was played in 1994/95. He accumulated 247 runs in the 3 Tests at an average of 82.33 with 1 century and a fifty. He was the leading run-scorer in the series. While he also excelled as a wicket-keeper taking 16 catches.

Also Read – Top 10 Wicket-keepers with Most Stumpings in International Cricket

8. Only international century:

His only international century came against New Zealand the series decider Cape Town Test in 1995. Richardson scored 109 runs and helped his side post a big 1^st innings total. The innings included 7 fours and was a typical Test match innings full of patience and determination. South Africa won the series decider and he was adjudged Player-of-the-match as well as Player-of-the-series.

9. Historical Man-of-the-Series award:

In 1994/95 series against New Zealand, Dave Richardson became the first non-English wicket-keeper to be adjudged Player-of-the-series. Up to that point, three English wicket keepers had won the Man-of-the-Series awards.

10. No century or Man-of-the-Match award in ODIs:

Dave Richardson never crossed 53 run mark in ODIs. It was his highest ODI score. He played 122 ODIs and never won a Man-of-the-Match award.

11. Poor Away record:

In Test cricket Dave Richardson averaged 32.39 in home conditions while in away Tests his average got reduced to 16.14, almost half in comparison to home Tests.

12. International Cricket career in numbers:

Dave Richardson played 42 Tests and scored 1,359 runs at an average of 24.26 with 1 century and 8 fifties. He affected 152 dismissals as well. While he was part of the African team in 122 ODIs and scored 868 runs at an average of 19.72 Dave affected 165 dismissals in the 50 overs format which included 148 catches and 17 stumpings.

13. Domestic Cricket career in numbers:

Dave Richardson played as many as 200 First-Class matches and scored 6,981 runs while he affected 619 dismissals as well. As far as List-A career is concerned he featured in 280 matches and accumulated 3,413 runs while as a wicket-keeper he was involved in 344 dismissals.

14. Stint with ICC:

In 2002, Dave Richardson was appointed as the International Cricket Council’s first General Manager. While in 2012, Dave was escalated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC.