Cricket: No going back - definitely

Mark Richardson woke up yesterday hungover and insistent he wasn't tempted to play one final first-class match despite being stranded six short of 10,000 runs.

The former New Zealand opener was denied the major batting landmark by the accuracy of his bowlers as Auckland beat Canterbury by an innings and 60 runs in the State Championship match in Christchurch.

Starting his final match on 9959 runs after announcing his retirement last week, he scored 35 in the first innings and then watched as Canterbury collapsed for 125 to end the match.

"It was amazing, I couldn't believe what was happening," Richardson told Radio Sport.

"One of the boys came up to me halfway through and said, 'You're not going to get another chance to bat'.

"It didn't bother me, it was about winning the match," he said, before adding with a laugh: "Put it this way, 9994 runs, if you stick a decimal point in the middle of those figures it's the same as Sir Don Bradman's test average."

Richardson effectively became an onlooker at his own farewell function, 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 suggested afterwards that Richardson might be tempted to play invitation matches, such as those played by the MCC in England, which carry first-class status.

Richardson's answer: A firm "no. I will not play another game. The lads were saying, 'Why don't you just sneak in there for an MCC game over in England', and I thought if I do I'd probably end up getting a pair."

Richardson said he was emotional when applauded off Hagley Oval by his team-mates and admitted to a big night of celebration.

He insisted he wouldn't regret the decision when New Zealand meet Sri Lanka in the first test in Hamilton starting on January 15. "Honestly I'm happy, I know it's the right decision."

- NZPA