An opening bowler, he 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.
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.
[citation needed] 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.
[citation needed] In 2012, Richardson was named one of Wisden Cricketers of the Year for his performances in the 2011 season where he took 73 wickets.
[2] In nine days in May 2013 he took 24 wickets in consecutive matches: 5 for 41 and 7 for 22 against Kent at Canterbury,[3] then 8 for 37 and 4 for 70 against Gloucestershire at Worcester,[4] for combined figures of 84.2–29–170–24.