Life and Career
After making his Surrey debut in 1976, he toured India and Sri Lanka as reserve wicket-keeper to Bob Taylor in 1981-82, and forced his way into international contention again in 1986, when his batting produced over a thousand runs. He played two One Day Internationals against New Zealand, and was picked for the 1986/87 Ashes tour, initially as cover for Bruce French. However, England opted to play the wicket-keeper more likely to score runs, and he recorded his century at Perth in only his second Test as England piled up 592 for 8. Richards scored 264 runs at 37.71 in the Tests on the tour, but his batting tailed off after his bright start, and French resumed his place in the side at home in 1987.
Richards toured New Zealand and played two more Tests against the West Indies, but, despite a record benefit season for Surrey, he was released by the county amid dressing room unrest at the end of 1988. Despite his England pedigree, he was not re-engaged by another county, and retired at the early age of 30, to a career as a shipping broker in the Netherlands.
He is also the manager of the Belgian Under 16s rugby union team, and the coach of the Antwerp Cricket Club. He currently the head coach for the Belgian national cricket team.
Read more about this topic: Jack Richards
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