"I dropped down the order but that didn't suit me and in the end, I asked to play for the seconds to try and get some form."
About three weeks ago, Richards returned to the opening slot and hit a century in a League game against Hadleigh followed by 62 not out in the Challenge Trophy semi-final against Lambeth Enterprise.
Richards, who had two unproductive seasons on the Essex staff in the early Nineties, captained Wanstead between 1995 and '99. During that spell, Wanstead lost three Evening Standard semi-finals.
"I thought we were fated never to win it," he confessed. "So, when we finally got to The Oval I kept telling everyone, this is the real thing, we must make it count.
"I've scored a few centuries but they don't come any better than that one.
"A chasing 100 is always better because you're under more pressure and to do it on that ground in those circumstances is just magical."
Bexley had the best bowler in Eddie Stanford, who took three for 24 from 10 overs of high-class left-arm spin.
But Wanstead had the top batsman as Bexley skipper Stuart Hume conceded: "Alex was magnificent. When a guy plays like that you've got to hold your hands up and say well done, but we'll be back."
Wanstead's victory party had one poignant moment when glasses were raised to the memory of Tony Umoh, a popular club member who died of a heart attack, aged 36, at the start of the season.
Evening Standard Challenge Trophy Final (The Oval): Bexley 204-8 (50 overs), D Raggett 56, D Pask 36. Wanstead 208-6 (46.4 overs) A Richards 121 not out, R Ellison 28 not out, E Stanford 3-24. Wanstead won by four wickets.
