Cricket: Richardson has permanent spot at Lord's

By MARK GEENTY in London

Mark Richardson can think of only one thing to top his dream test century at Lord's yesterday.

"I think belting a six to win the World Cup at the McG would be pretty good, but I'll take this as a good runner-up," he said, struggling to wipe the grin from his face.

Richardson made a jam-packed Lord's his playground for 13 1/2 hours, falling leg-before for 93 on Friday, but making amends yesterday when New Zealand needed him most in the first test.

Due largely to Richardson, New Zealand reached 336, to set England a victory target of 282.

"I'm pretty pleased to be sitting here explaining 100, not 90," he said. "I'm absolutely thrilled. I never imagined I'd get two shots in one game."

He batted a tick over seven hours in the second innings for his 101 - the 12th time a New Zealander had scored a test century at Lord's - to earn a spot on the coveted honours board.

It was also the fifth consecutive New Zealand century at the ground in five England tours, after Martin Crowe (twice in 1986 and 1994), Trevor Franklin and Matthew Horne.

When Richardson turned spinner Ashley Giles behind square for a single off his 289th ball of the innings, he struggled to contain his emotion as his fiancee, Mary, watched from the boundary.

He slumped down on his haunches, then launched into a jubilant punch of the air towards her in the grandstand and held his arms aloft to the team balcony.

"My partner was pretty disappointed I got out in the 90s," he said. "She supports me well. I wanted to give her a wee signal, which turned out to be a huge jump in the air."

Richardson said he was "stuffed" when he came in for the tea break and he couldn't add a run in six overs afterwards, finally being caught behind to a tired drive.

Despite going well beyond the call of duty, Richardson was typically annoyed for not carrying on.

"I'm disappointed in myself for not absorbing some pressure straight after tea. I exposed our tail to some unnecessary pressure."

The innings didn't take long to find its way on to the honours board, with his team-mates scrawling his name on a piece of tape ahead of the official inscription today.

England paceman Stephen Harmison, who took eight wickets for the match, described Richardson as "a nightmare" to bowl to.

"It's hard to remember playing against someone who leaves the ball so well," Harmison said. "You've got to take your hat of to him."

- NZPA