SOMERSET County Cricket Club is mourning the loss of Richard Hayward who has passed away in New Zealand at the age of 72.

A top order left handed batter, Richard was born in Middlesex on February 15, 1954, and after six years in the Civil Service during which time he made a number of appearances for Middlesex Seconds, he played full time for Buckinghamshire where he enjoyed considerable success.

After going on tour to New Zealand during the winter of 1979 with the Club Cricket Conference he found the country very much to his liking and returned the following year as professional at Nelson CC, which was the start of his long association with the country.

Richard’s success in New Zealand attracted the attention of Hampshire and he made his First Class debut for them against Sri Lanka in 1981 at Bournemouth, scoring an unbeaten 101, his maiden first class century. He returned to Hampshire in 1982 after which he left the county, having played in 13 first class matches and scored 454 runs at an average of 25.22.

During the winter months he returned to play cricket for Central Districts where he continued to enjoy success and in 1985, when Somerset were beset by injuries to a number of their top order batters, Richard was recruited and made his debut in June at Bath in the drawn game against Gloucestershire.

Richard’s most successful match for Somerset was against Cambridge University at Taunton in which he made an unbeaten 100 and shared a fifth-wicket partnership with Richard Harden who hit 107.

His final match for Somerset came in early August against his former county Hampshire, bringing to an end his time with the club during which he played in 9 first class matches, scoring 278 at an average of 30.89. He also played in 7 one day matches