Cricket: Collapse so cruel for 'Rigor' Richardson

Retired test opener Mark Richardson was left stranded on 9994 first-class runs by the success of his Auckland team-mates against Canterbury yesterday.

Needing 41 runs to reach 10,000 in his last appearance for Auckland, Richardson, nicknamed Rigor (mortis) on account of his flexibility, was dismissed for 35 on Monday in what was expected to be the first of his two innings in the State Championship match.

But outstanding bowling and fielding performances by the Auckland seam bowlers and slips catchers took Auckland to victory by an innings and 60 runs after tea on the second day yesterday.

Canterbury were rolled for 125 in their second innings after posting 111 in the first innings which Auckland responded to with 296.

Richardson effectively became an onlooker at his own farewell function yesterday, and his last act was catching Wade Cornelius from the bowling of Tama Canning to bring Auckland to within one wicket of victory.

Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell doubted Richardson would again don the whites for Auckland, particularly as the championship now goes into recess for a month, with the one-day State Shield competition taking over.

But O'Donnell suspected Richardson might not be left with a final four-figure career aggregate.

Some invitation matches, such as those played by the MCC in England, carry first-class status and Richardson would be a popular invitee.

Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe said he had not lost faith in his top-order batsmen, despite another alarming collapse. 

"We still have faith in the team. We have talked about what should be done in such situations, to not try to change, not go searching, but to trust in the things they have done well in the past," Sharpe said.

The statistics are grim. In two innings against Auckland, the highest score by any of Canterbury's top seven batsmen was 17.

In their second innings, openers Tim McIntosh and Michael Papps lasted only two balls, while Peter Fulton and Craig McMillan were out to consecutive deliveries from Andre Adams, leaving Tim Papps to prevent a hat-trick.

But there was little respite, just pockets of defiance from Ellis and Hayden Shaw, who needed only 19 balls to hit seven fours and 31 runs.

As if he had not done enough damage with two slips catches, Adams brilliantly clung to a steepling strike from Shaw which came over his left shoulder as he ran back from mid-on, before finishing the game by catching Ellis at square-leg.

"It helps having internationals who come back home to play, who are not only keen to play but also bowl very well for you," said O'Donnell, in reference to Kyle Mills and Adams, who between them claimed 16 Canterbury wickets.

Sharpe said there were some mitigating circumstances. Canterbury twice batted under heavy cloud cover which helped Auckland.

- NZPA 

Mark Richardson

Started this season with 9758 runs and ends on 9994

Holds 21st place on alltime New Zealand batting list

Reached mark in fewer innings than anyone else.

1st class debut: Presidents XI v India 1989-90