Richard Ellison (cricketer)

For other people named Richard Ellison, see Richard Ellison (disambiguation).

Richard Ellison

Source: [1], 1 January 2006

Richard Mark Ellison (born September 21, 1959, Willesborough, Kent) is a former English cricketer who played in 11 Tests and 14 ODIs from 1984 to 1986 playing a key role in the 1985 Ashes series.

A burly, curly haired, right arm medium fast swing bowler, he made his debut for Kent in 1981 and took five wickets against the powerful 1984 West Indian side in his debut Test at the Oval. He is best remembered for the vital role he played when recalled to the colours for the Edgbaston Test against Australia the following year. He took four wickets for one run as Australia fell to 37 for 5 in their second innings and completed ten for the match. He took 6 more wickets as England wrapped up the series at the Oval and was named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year in 1986. At his best in swinging English conditions, he lacked the raw pace to intimidate batsman under blue skies on tour in the West Indies that winter and his career suffered a further set back when a back injury forced him to miss the 1987 season. He took 71 wickets for Kent in 1988 but was overlooked by England and retired at 33 in 1993 to teach P.E. and coach cricket at Milfield School. He was a useful tail ender, good enough to record a first-class century and score 41 in a Test against Sri Lanka in 1984, and took 475 wickets in his 207 first-class games, including 35 Test scalps at under 30 apiece.