Lives in Cricket No 25 - Tom Richardson

85 He was keen to immerse himself in the local community, presumably with a view to increasing his turnover, joining Kingston Cricket Club, though there are no reports of his actually playing for them: Seven new members were elected including Tom Richardson, the Surrey County player. 199 His involvement with charity matches continued: Tom Richardson has arranged two matches with the Mitcham Cricket Club against an eleven to be got together by him. It is hoped that the funds of the Kingston Victoria Hospital will be benefited by the visit of these players. 200 He did not, however, sever his links with the Thames Ditton Club, attending their dinner at the end of the season. 201 The pub is still there, a few hundred yards from Kingston town centre and overlooking the Fairfield Recreation Ground, its cricketing heritage surviving only in a well-used bat and pair of ancient pre-Velcro pads above the bar and an externally publicised facility to offer Sky Sports Live. Furthermore, Tom was not alone in cashing in on his reputation as an established professional cricketer, to advertise commercial products, in this case, Recordine Embrocation, the Oilless Disinfectant. Mr T.Richardson, Surrey County Cricket Club writes, Dec 3 1901 I have used your Recordine with great benefit for sprains and bruises, and during the hot weather I have found a good rub down with your Embrocation before going into the field, and during the interval most refreshing. I also rub my feet with it, and find they keep me cool, and I find less fatigue. It is certainly the most pleasant Embrocation I have ever used, and I shall recommend it to all my friends. I may add that the other professionals are loud in its praises. 202 Less expected perhaps was his apperance, along with Tom Hayward, as a fashion icon, advertising morning dress. A decade later he was singing the praises of Dr Williams’ Pink Pills. 1902 The writing was perhaps on the wall for Tom when he was included in a squad of thirteen for what was now becoming the season’s traditional opener against London County, but omitted from the final eleven. Although he usually opened the bowling there were occasions when he bowled first or second change. He did not take his fiftieth wicket until mid-July, reaching the nadir against Sussex at Hastings with 30-1-143-1 as Fry ’s 159 and Ranjitsinhji’s 234 not out saw Sussex to 705 for 8 declared, which remained the highest team total against Surrey until 1990. 199 Surrey Comet 15 March 1902 200 Surrey Comet 1 September 1902 201 Surrey Comet 25 October 1902 202 Wisden 1903 - back pages, not numbered. The Twilight’s Last Gleaming