Sturt’s Jason Borgas beats SA cricket legend Vic Richardson’s runs record

AN Adelaide batsman has broken a runs record set by one of the state’s most celebrated cricketers more than seven decades ago. Here’s why he’s “humbled” by the achievement.

Jason Borgas (Sturt District Club, cricketer) at Price Memorial Oval. Sturt cricketer Jason Borgas is now the club's all-time leading run scorer, breaking the record held by Australian and SA great Victor Richardson, which had stood for more than 70 years. Picture: Stephen Laffer

JASON Borgas almost feels like a party pooper.

Vic Richardson’s record of 7326 runs had stood at Sturt District Cricket Club since 1941/42 — until Borgas broke it against West Torrens this month. The latter’s tally is now 7393 ... and counting.

Richardson, who has a gate in his name at Adelaide Oval, is a former Test captain, grandfather of the Chappells and won the 1920 Magarey Medal playing for Sturt.

Borgas, 33, is somewhat embarrassed to be mentioned in the same sentence.

“I feel very humbled to go past him,” Borgas says.

“Records are there to be broken but the next bloke that breaks it will be like ‘I went past Victor York (Richardson) and then some other bloke had the record for a short period of time’.

“He is pretty much Sturt ... and his name is synonymous with South Australian sport.

“Without question that makes it bigger and just the fact it’s stood for such a long period of time.”

Cricketer Victor Richardson at the opening ceremony of the Victor Richardson Gates at Adelaide Oval in 1967. File picture.

Cricket great Victor York Richardson. Vic’s record of 7326 runs had stood at Sturt District Cricket Club since 1941/42.

Borgas, who played six Sheffield Shield matches for SA in 2007, may not share Richardson’s credentials but he has also become a Sturt great.

A Blue since primary school, the left-hander holds the club’s A-grade record for hundreds (18) and highest score (200 not out).

The dual premiership player also ranks third for A-grade games with 183 — 19 behind Richardson, the club record holder — after debuting at 17.

Another Richardson milestone looms.

“(Sturt coach Peter Judd) is really keen to get me to 200 games, which is really nice of him.

“At the end of each season, I’ll probably sit down with my girlfriend and see where we’re at in life, and whether she will let me play another season.”

Borgas’s brother and teammate Cameron, 31, has scored more than 5000 runs, ranking him in the club’s top five all-time batsmen.

Jason says his brother’s support, along with that of their parents and Sturt, has been key to his success.

“I just love playing at Sturt. I feel very privileged to have played at such a great club for over 20 years.”