VICTOR RICHARDSON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 300, 18 December 1937, Page 4

VICTOR RICHARDSON

A GREAT REPUTATION GAME LOSING A FINE CRICKETER Victor Richardson’s announcement in Adelaide that the testimonial game to himself and Clarrie Grimmett would be his final game in big cricket as he intended to retire, was not unexpected, but it will cause regret all the same. Richardson has been one of the big figures in Australian cricket since the war, and mere figures, striking as they are in his case, can give only a partial idea of what he has meant to South Australia in particular (says the Sporting Globe). Years ago the South Australian team really meant George Griffen and Jack Lyons, with Griffen as the mainstay of both batting and bowling. Then there came on the scene three wonderful players in Clem Hill and Joe Darling, two of the greatest left-

hand batsmen of all time, and Ernie Jones, the greatest of Australian fast bowlers. They were like giants among pigmies, and the success of the side depended entirely upon what they did. Since the war Richardson and Clarrie Grimmett have been in mucn the same position as these famous predecessors. Richardson's success has been all the more pleasing because he is a native of the State; Grimmett was an importation, but what a wonder he has been with the ball in every class of cricket! Richardson will go out of the game with the reputation as fine as his record in figures. Australians have often been accused of playing cricket too grimly, but that imputation could never be cast at Victor. Always he has played it with the idea that it was a game, and that it should be played in the real sporting spirit. South Australian teams since the war have always been popular and much of that popularity has been due to the bright leadership of Richardson. There has been little of the dourness in their cricket that has been so noticeable in the play of Victoria and New South Wales.

Richardson has had no easy task in leading a side that has not usually been very strong, but he has always been a notable figure on the field, whether batting or fielding, and has always been the inspiration of his side.

Richardson has many notable records in cricket, and one of these must be unique. It is the fact that although he was playing for South Australia for nearly 20 years, and was captain of the side for almost the whole of that period, he was never in a South Australian side that gained a victory on the Melbourne ground. As a fact, South Australia has not won a game on this ground since the war, and Richardson has taken part in nearly all 19 that have been played. All her six-victories in 37 games in that period have been in Adelaide.