Barry Richards (1970)

 

Born 21 July 1945 at Morningside, Durban, South Africa

Barry Richards was a gifted opening batsman with a superb technique. He made an immediate impact in his first Test series against Australia in 1970, scoring 2 centuries and averaging 72.57 but was denied any further opportunities at the highest level when South Africa were expelled from international cricket shortly after that.

He spent most of his career playing for Natal, Hampshire and, for one memorable season, South Australia, scoring over 28 000 first-class runs including 80 centuries at an average of 54. It was for South Australia that he scored a brilliant 356 against Western Australia at Perth in 1970. In that 1970/71 season for South Australia he scored 1538 runs at an average of 109.85. He also had success for the World XI in World Series cricket. He performed various roles in the game after his playing days, most notably that of TV commentator.

  M Runs HS Avg 100 Ct Wkts Avg BB 5I
Tests 4 508 140 72.57 2 3 1 26.00 1-12 0