Viv Richards

Vivian Richards, a name synchronous with West Indies' Cricket, needs no formal introduction. He is not only the World's greatest Batsman, he has always been the most entertaining. He emerged from Antigua in the Leeward Islands to become one of the most destructive batsmen of his era and to lead the West Indies in 50 Tests.

This charismatic player can be remembered for any of his numerous memorable innings. He is recognised as the embodiment of the spirit & flair with which the West Indians have always played cricket.

He burst into Test match cricket on the West Indies tour of India in 1974-75 and made an undefeated 192 at Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi on his second appearance for his nation and his run-aggregate of 8,540 Test runs at an average of 50.23, included twenty four Test hundreds, the highest of which was 291 he posted off a respectable England attack at the Oval in 1976.

His off-spin bowling was economical enough for him to fill the fifth bowling role in one-day internationals. Those who witnessed his magnificent innings of 189 not out in a one-day international at Manchester in 1984 (scored out of his team's total of 272 for nine and made after they had been reduced to 98 for six at one stage) will never forget the innings. The Manchester crowd probably throught the great innings was about to end when the ninth West Indian wicket fell but, farming the strike with skill and hunger, Richards commanded a last-wicket stand of 106; his partner, Michael Holding made,just 12.

Richards' international career lasted from 1974 to 1991, and during the middle years of that career the "Master Blaster" led a West Indian team that dominated world cricket.

Viv has great respect for Indian spinners, especially BC Shekhar. He himself confesses being afraid of facing Shekhar's steady & accuurate bowling. He always considered himself a 'Bunny Rabbit' in front of him.

His one-day international career record - 6721 runs (ave.47.00), including 11 centuries and 118 wickets (ave.35.86) is one of the best in the 31-year history of instant game. Allied to his pride was his fierce competitiveness and will to succeed. 

Richards is deservedly adulated on his home island today: his bat has been placed in the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, and Richards himself remains involved in the Antiguan, West Indian, and International cricket scene. Spinnakers Beach Bar and Restaurant in Dickenson Bay is the home of the Vivian Richards Cricketeer Club and a good place to catch a glimpse of the man himself.

Hats off to this gum-chewing genius...