RICHARDS FIGHTS HIS WAY THROUGH GCA

GCA1 clubs are quickly realising not to mess with Pat Richards, pictured.

It is not only his achievement in racking up 193 runs in two hits for Leopold without dismissal — news of his reputation as a professional Muay Thai fighter has captured the attention of rivals.

While many may think the 24year old’s commitment to Muay Thai and rekindled passion for cricket have little in common, Richards speaks in no uncertain terms about the similarities.

“In a way they’re totally different sports, but anyone who knows cricket, knows it’s a mental game,” he said. “And there’s not many sports going around that are more mentally demanding than combat sports. In a lot of ways, they do cross over.”

Clunes raised, Richards moved to Geelong nine years ago where he started with the Geelong Cricket Club at 15.

“I had a few years there, but lost a bit of passion for the game in my late teens and that’s when I started my professional Muay Thai career,” Richards said.

“When Muay Thai came into my life as a 17-year-old I was really craving that discipline and I wasn’t quite getting it from my cricket, I felt a little bit lost.

“I had 39 Muay Thai fights between 18-24 and even had one this year before the cricket season started.”

After six years away from the game, Richards decided a new challenge was in order, with GCA1 club Leopold the beneficiary.

“I’ve been watching more and more cricket and the flame was really lit again,” he said.

“I went back to Geelong and played a couple of games there at the start of this season, but it wasn’t the right fit for me.

“So, I made contact with (Leopold coach) Scott Lindsay and started playing with them.

“He was pumped for me to be there, it’s a great club.”

It has clearly been the Lions’ gain, with Richards’ unbeaten 74 leading the ’Pold to victory against Murgheboluc in Round 3, before crafting 119 not out against East Belmont last Saturday.

“It’s a hard game and you can spend a lot of time down, so when you’re doing well you’ve got to celebrate those successes,” he said.

“It’s certainly good when you’re making runs.”

And while Leopold’s next two opponents, St Joseph’s and Grovedale, might be plotting to bring Richards down, they can breathe easy in the knowledge the not-yet-dismissed Lion will miss the next month of action pursuing a third passion — an interest in military history.

“My great-great uncle fought in World War I and it’s the 100th anniversary of his death, so I’ll be in Europe,” Richards said.

“I’m taking my fiancee and my three-month-old son, who is named after him, Percy Charles Richards, to his gravesite on the border between Belgium and France.

“We’re going to mark his service and death. I’m really proud of my great-great uncle.”

“I had 39 Muay Thai fights between 18-24 and even had one this year before the cricket season started.” — LEOPOLD’S PAT RICHARDS