From Edmonton, London, Richards attended Norlington School in Waltham Forest.

[3] Richards made his Second-XI debut for Essex in 2021 and signed a rookie contract with the club in early 2022.

[8] Richards made his first-class cricket debut on 26 May 2023 as Essex played against Ireland at Chelmsford.

[10] Richards was the leading wicket-taker for Essex in the 2024 One-Day Cup with 15 scalps at an average of 24.86 and was rewarded with a new one-year contract in November that year.

[11][12] An all-rounder, Essex Cricket head coach Anthony McGrath was quoted in 2023 as saying that during his debut season Richards had displayed “moments of brilliance when featuring in our One-Day Cup side…Jamal is one of the brightest talents on the County circuit.