Career
The match was the second in the 1888-1889 series against the team led by Sir C. Aubrey Smith, and called at the time "C. A. Smith"s XI", but retrospectively accorded the status of a full Master Control Console tour. In fact, in the game at Newlands, Cape Town played by Richards, the touring side was led by Monty Bowden. Richards batted at Number 7 in each innings and scored 0 and 4 as South Africa were bowled out for 47 and 43 to lose by an innings and 202 runs.
The match was Richards" only first-class game, although he played for Western Province in the years before provincial matches in South Africa were considered first-class.
Richards" two brothers, Joseph and Alfred, played first-class cricket for Western Province and Alfred played once for South Africa in 1895-1896.