Lives in Cricket No 25 - Tom Richardson

79 now) saw an improvement in the statistics and a win for Surrey by an innings and 261 runs. ... the excellent bowling of Richardson who, helped a little by the wicket, was irresistible ... The Essex innings was a great disappointment. Richardson was in his element and the only possible hope the batsmen could have had was to knock him off by determined cricket. Mr Owen and Mr McGahey made the attempt, and if fortune had been favourable it might have succeeded; they both played a great game. After their partnership, Richardson got the upper hand and there was no holding him. He took eight wickets for 90 runs and has hardly bowled better in his life. . . . . . . . . SCENE, Leyton. Richardson is smashing up the wickets in the Essex second innings. First spectator (with much feeling) “Lord, ’ow I’d like to be the umpire at square leg !” Second spectator: “Well, what if you was?” First spectator: “What if I was? Why, you’d be surprised how soon I’d discover that Tom Richardson was chucking!” Second spectator: “Struth! And to think that we can’t do nothing except to set ’ere and cuss!” 191 191 Cricket 19 July 1900 Fin-de-Siècle The Surrey team of 1900: Richardson is not yet 30 years of age, but the weight gain is noticeable. (Back row) T.Richardson, W.S.Lees, T.W.Hayward, E.G.Hayes, F.C.Holland, F.Stedman, (seated) W.H.Lockwood, V.F.S.Crawford, D.L.A.Jephson (captain), E.M.Dowson, W.Brockwell, (on ground) R.Abel, H.Wood. [Messrs Gunn & Stuart, Richmond: Cricket 16 August 1900]