Richard Hayward

Richard Hayward, 72, died on August 29, 2026. Richard Hayward was known publicly as an English cricketer (Hampshire, Central Districts, Somerset). Richard Edward Hayward (15 February 1954 – 27 August 2026) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket in England for Hampshire and in New Zealand for Central Districts. Following his retirement from playing, Hayward remained in New Zealand. There in 1998 he was appointed the Nelson Cricket Association's first coaching director, becoming the first full-time professional coaching director appointed by a district association in New Zealand. In 2002, he became Canterbury's coaching director. In 2026 he became a match referee for New Zealand Cricket. Public biographical listings identify Hayward as an English cricketer (Hampshire, Central Districts, Somerset). This public record remains centered on Hayward's work as an English cricketer (Hampshire, Central Districts, Somerset) and the documented milestones of that career.