In the end, Barry Richards played just four Test matches before South Africa were forced into sporting isolation because of their apartheid policy. Against Australia, in 1969-70, he hit 508 runs at 72.57 with two centuries. He played on for Hampshire until 1978 and proved his worth in Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.
After just his first season in county cricket in 1968, Barry Richards was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year, and was tipped to become the greatest batsman since Bradman.
Garry Sobers apart — and, as ever, he set his own standards — none of the new overseas players in county cricket made a greater impact than Barry Anderson Richards, of Hampshire, who was born at Durban, Natal, on July 21, 1945. The arithmetic of his achievements was convincing enough. In his first English season, and a wet one at that, he scored 2,395 runs, the highest aggregate, with an average of 47.90, bettered only by the infinitely more experienced Boycott.
Yet it was the composed manner and assurance, and the maturity of technique for one so young, which impressed the responsible critics, and friend and foe alike. His off and cover driving were frequently compared with the great Walter Hammond and Sir Leonard Hutton.
Much to Gloucestershire’s disappointment, Richards and Procter returned to South Africa. Procter was to come back under the immediate qualification rule, put into effect in 1968, and Richards, keenly sought after by Sussex, eventually threw in his lot with Hampshire.
In the meantime, Richards scored his maiden first-class century for a South African XI against the Australians at East London and was considered unlucky not to have won his Test place during the 1966-67 rubber. His chance of forcing his way into the powerful South African Test side was further delayed by the cancellation of MCC’s tour there. On his English form, Richards must have been in the reckoning for that series.
Keen as he is on the game, Richards shares the general opinion of overseas players that there is far too much cricket played in England. “Frankly I don’t know how some of the players keep it up year after year he said after his first season in the Championship. The strain is immense. I used to wake up on some mornings and say to myself ‘Surely not another day’s cricket!’”
Nevertheless, Richards, who is a first-rate slip fielder, retained his concentration until the very end. He emerged a better batsman for his 33 matches and 55 innings. His selection and placing improved match by match and belied his years. Moreover, he started to collect runs on the leg side which had largely been forsaken territory for him.
Richards’ horizons seem limitless, and it will be fascinating to see how far his talents will take him. Few, anywhere in the world, have his possibilities.
