HE is one of Australia’s top cricketers — a bearded brute on the field and a new-age thinker off it.

But Redbacks fast bowler and vegan convert Kane Richardson would prefer if nothing suffered making his weapon of choice.

Richardson, 25, gets the ultimate irony in highlighting the fate of cows whose hide is used to make the leather cricket balls so crucial to his fame and fortune.

“The cricket ball is made out of leather but that is out of our control, you make do with it,” Richardson told the Sunday Mail.

Adelaide Strikers and Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie is an avid vegan who has hit out at the production of the humble cricket ball.

It was a brave call by the Test great given Yorkshire’s sponsorship ties with a local dairy.

“It was interesting to hear what he came out and said. Dizzy is quite big on it and I had a few conversations with him about it,” said Richardson, referring to Gillespie’s concerns about cruelty to animals and use of traditional leather balls made from cowhide.

“If it is something you believe in you stand up strong for it. He is definitely passionate the way he is with cricket as well.”

Imagine Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson turning down a coldie, discussing the vagaries of the live cattle trade or finer aspects of the plant diet.

media_camera Kane Richardson unleashes a thunderbolt in a Shield match.

The fast bowler’s cartel has come a long way from heavy chests, side burns and a drink till you drop, meat and three veg culture.

Richardson hasn’t broached a subject with Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons given prominence by Test seamer and “banana man” Peter Siddle’s vegan doctrine.

“Jamie wouldn’t have played with many vegans, I guess the times are changing,” chuckled Richardson, who plays alongside vegetarian Adam Zampa.

“A lot of people joked last year I was slowing down in pace but I was bowling with a back injury.

“I definitely feel lighter and energetic and Peter Siddle found he recovered quicker. If that is a benefit I will take it.

“I have spoken to our team doctor and nutritionist so they are well aware of what you can miss out on by not eating and side effects.

“We are trying to tick every box to make sure I am doing the right thing.”

Richardson, who ultimately broke down with back stress fractures in Australia’s one day tour of New Zealand in February, suspects the vegan cricket revolution is sign of an era where players look to gain any edge they can in recovery.

“I don’t want to be preacher, come across as preaching to teammates or public. I keep my thoughts to myself unless people want to come and talk about it,” he said.

Giving alcohol the flick — with Siddons’ encouragement — proved a trump card for Richardson and his South Australian teammates who surprised by making the Sheffield Shield and one-day finals last season.

“It’s the way athletes are treating alcohol, it’s whatever we can do to make sure our bodies are raring to go 12 months a year,” he said.

“I still enjoy a beer but our attitudes have change since Jamie came on board.

“He is big on respecting alcohol and that showed last year. Blokes continued to back up game after game thanks to being a bit more aware of it all.”