Alan Richardson (cricketer)

Alan Richardson (born 6 May 1975 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire) is a retired English cricketer who is the bowling coach for Warwickshire. He played for Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire.

An opening bowler, Richardson made his first-class debut for Derbyshire in 1995 and, though he did not make a contribution with the bat, his three wickets showed potential. He played one match for Staffordshire in the Minor Counties Championship in 1998. Staffordshire received the trophy having had a better record in the qualifying tournament.

He first appeared in the County Championship in 1999, for Warwickshire, and made it to the first team in 2000. Warwickshire were to finish high in the Second Division the following year, and in their return to Division One in season 2002, they were to impress greatly, finishing the season in second place. Though his bowling was minimal for the next few years, a move to Middlesex revitalised his career and proved him capable to remain fit throughout a season.

Desperate to keep Middlesex in the hunt to consolidate their Division One placing, Richardson played solidly throughout season 2005, though he played only one match in 2006. Richardson was a tailend batsman for the Warwickshire team and continued in this role with Middlesex.

At the end of the 2009 season, having only played six County Championship games for Middlesex, Richardson signed for Worcestershire on a two-year contract. He was offered a coaching/playing role at Middlesex but expressed his desire to continue playing nearer to home.

In 2012, Richardson was named one of Wisden Cricketers of the Year for his performances in the 2011 season.

In nine days in May 2013 he took 24 wickets in consecutive matches: 5 for 41 and 7 for 22 against Kent at Canterbury, then 8 for 37 and 4 for 70 against Gloucestershire at Worcester, for combined figures of 84.2–29–170–24.

On 6 January 2014, Richardson announced his retirement from cricket to become Warwickshire's new bowling coach.

Richardson is a lifelong fan of Stoke City Football Club.