Richard Elms

Richard Burtenshaw Elms (born 5 April 1949) is an English former professional cricketer. He played first-class and List A one-day cricket for Kent and Hampshire County Cricket Clubs as a left-arm fast-medium bowler, before embarking on a coaching career in South Africa.

Cricket career With Kent Elms was born in Sutton in April 1949. He was educated at Bexleyheath-Erith Technical High School. Having played for Kent Club and Ground, made his debut in first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club against Hampshire at Maidstone in the 1970 County Championship, in what was his only appearance that season. The following season, he made seven appearances in the 1971 County Championship, In the same season, he made his debut in List A one-day cricket against Sussex at Tunbridge Wells in the John Player League, with Elms making four appearances in that season's competition. In 1972, he made three first-class appearances, alongside four one-day appearances. With Julien out through injury for most of the 1974 season, Elms gained an extended run in the Kent team. His fifteen first-class appearances that season saw him take 23 wickets at an average of 37.82,

In 72 first-class matches for Kent, he took 89 wickets at an average of 40.34, with four five wicket hauls. In one-day cricket, he took 45 wickets at an average of 30.62. During his time at Kent, it was noted by Carlow (2024) that his bowling was often erratic, with control his length and direction often deserting him. As a batsman in first-class cricket, he scored 362 runs at a batting average of 9.52, with a highest score of 31 not out. Carlow noted that there were some at Kent who believed Elms had not lived up to his potential as a batsman; a week prior to his release by Kent, he had scored two centuries in the same match playing for the Kent seconds.

Move to Hampshire Ahead of the 1977 season, Elms joined Hampshire. Following the 1976 season, he coached in South Africa, before making his debut for Hampshire against Somerset at Southampton in the 1977 County Championship. During his debut season for Hampshire, he made fourteen first-class and seven one-day appearances.

After leaving professional cricket, Elms moved to South Africa where he became a cricket coach in North-West Transvaal.