Alan Richardson

It gives me great pleasure to be asked to contribute to Joes testimonial year. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient.

To the outside observer testimonials are awarded to players who have performed for a number of years for one club, they’ve displayed loyalty and great levels of skill to help their Club win many games of cricket over long periods of time.

I’m sure many contributors will talk about Joe's Herculean efforts with both bat and ball whilst wearing his sweat drenched Worcestershire baggy green and quite rightly so. However having had the luck to have played and coached with him, I know there’s far more to our humble hero than that.

The secret to success on the field for a team is often directly related to the qualities that are displayed off the field. And this is where if Joe isn’t whacking it, charging in from the Diglis End or on his haunches at mid on is where he is in his element!

His presence in the changing room is a masterclass of being a leader and driving himself and his team on no matter what the situation. The levels of care he shows to his team mates, the passion he displays and the humour he delivers (mostly self deprecating thankfully) make him a great bloke and someone you want on your team everyday of the week. This for me is why he is so worthy of this testimonial and every success that comes his way.

But before you believe I’m the Chairman of the Joe Leach Fan Club, we have had our moments. He played for the other cricket club in my hometown of Stone and supports the wrong football team in Staffordshire.

On the field I was fortunate to play in Joe's debut for Worcestershire and it didn’t take long for us to have our first typical changing room disagreement. Our recollections of his highest score of 82 not out at the time in his 7th first class game for Worcestershire are very different. Joe claims I left him high and dry on his way to his maiden hundred as I got a great ball which I edged to slip (I may have backed away and had a slog at one) to finish our first innings.

I justifiably claim he wasn’t proactive enough and exposed my shocking batting ability whilst he should have been smashing the 18 runs he required to get his ton. Needless to say he heeded my advice and reached this milestone in the second innings before I arrived at the crease and had chance to ruin his plans again. So other qualities he can add to the list is that he’s a good listener and a quick learner!

Joe, I wish you, Bex, William and Rory an amazing year. I can’t wait to watch you give it everything for the three pears again in 2024.