Richardson, 25 and at the absolute peak of his career, had taken 290 first-class wickets the previous summer. Australia, captained by Harry Trott, won the toss and made 412; Richardson took 7 for 168 in 68 overs of round-arm fast bowling. England replied with 231; following on, they recovered to 305 thanks to Ranjitsinhji's 154* (see entry).
Australia were set 125 in just over a session. Trott opened with Joe Darling. Richardson, given the new ball, bowled the entire spell from the City End. He took six wickets in 42 overs, dismissing Trott, Iredale, Giffen, Gregory, Donnan and Trumble. Australia were 100 for 7 with 25 still required and Richardson visibly tiring after three hours of fast bowling.
Kelly and McKibbin scrambled the runs. Richardson pulled up at the end of the match still wanting one more over. England lost by three wickets. The defeat was the more painful for the spell that did not quite save it. Wisden reported that Richardson 'walked off in tears, leaning on the shoulder of Bobby Abel.'
The 13/244 was, at the time, the third-best Test match analysis in history. It remains a benchmark for the 'unbroken three-hour fast spell' in cricket — a workload that almost no modern fast bowler would attempt.