/ 4 February 1998

Richardson to retire

WEDNESDAY, 1.00PM:

SOUTH African star wicketkeeper Dave Richardson announced his retirement from professional cricket on Tuesday.

Richardson, a veteran who played in all but one of South Africa’s 43 Test matches since readmission to world sport, said that he would have liked to see the England tour through, but that a recurring arthritic hip condition helped him decide to quit.

At 38 years of age, Richardson holds the South African record for dismissals by a ‘keeper — 150 catches and two stumpings, and he believes the record will be his for some time to come.

SPORT BRIEFS

CYCLE TOUR OFF THE Boland Bank Cycle Tour around the Western Cape has been cancelleed due to lack of funds

ASA MAY GROUND BRITS SA Pole vaulter Okkert Brits may be stopped from competing in Germany this weekend, because he has to compete in a Test against Russia at Pilditch in Pretoria on Saturday.