his appeal hearing tonight as he tries to get a one-year ban reduced.

The veteran St. David's batsman was recently banned until next September for showing dissent to umpire Colin Blades during a league match against Southampton Rangers when St. David's claimed Blades made some dubious decisions.

Richardson, who shouted his displeasure to Blades from the clubhouse balcony after captain Clay Smith's lbw decision, was not present at the recent hearing, though he admitted his guilt in writing to the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

Now the 41-year-old faces a one-year suspension which, if he fails to have it reduced, could spell the end of his career. He will be 43 when he is eligible to play again.

"There is a good chance this will probably be the end,'' admitted Richardson, who only this year was invited to train with the national squad ahead of their trip to Canada.

"I think this is only because of the Willow Cuts thing, but they have to look at each case on its merits,'' said Richardson. He considers the sentence harsh considering his previous good disciplinary record.

Ironically, it was because of a dispute between the board and the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association over a disciplinary matter involving Willow Cuts players which the board threw out that resulted in Blades being in the middle in the first place.

The umpires withdrew their services that weekend in protest of the way the board handled their reports against Willow Cuts and Blades, a board member, was one of the volunteer umpires standing in.

And while Richardson stands by some of the comments he made regarding Blades' handling of the match, he admits he was wrong for questioning the decisions.

Smith was banned until next June for questioning an lbw decision against him.

That effectively rules him out of the Red Stripe Cup in Jamaica late next month, the second straight year he will be missing because of a suspension.

It was a disappointing end to the season for St. David's who, in the absence of Smith and Richardson, who were immediately banned by the club, ended their season on a losing note when they failed to qualify for the Camel Cup and also lost in the Champion of Champions.

"Looking at the team, they are going to need some experience because when Clay and I were out they couldn't even get 100 runs,'' said Richardson, who wants to spend another season helping to groom the youngsters at the club.

"They aren't ready for the big time yet,'' he added.