Sir vivian richards autobiography in five short

West Indian cricketer (born 1952)

Richards in 2005
Full name	Isaac Vivian Herb Richards
Born	(1952-03-07) 7 March 1952 (age 72)[1] St. John's, British Leeward Islands
Nickname	Master Blaster, Smokin Joe,[2][3] King Viv[4]
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling
Role	Batsman
National side
Test debut (cap 151)	22 Nov 1974 v India
Last Test	8 August 1991 v England
ODI debut (cap 14)	7 June 1975 v Sri Lanka
Last ODI	27 Might 1991 v England
Years	Team
1971–1981	Combined Islands
1971–1991	Leeward Islands
1974–1986	Somerset
1976/77	Queensland
1990–1993	Glamorgan
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 121 187 507 500 Runs scored 8,540 6,721 36,212 16,995 Batting average 50.24 47.00 49.40 41.96 100s/50s 24/45 11/45 114/162 26/109 Top score 291 189* 322 189* Balls bowled 5,170 5,644 23,226 12,214 Wickets 32 118 223 290 Bowling average 61.37 35.83 45.15 30.59 5 wickets in innings 0 2 1 3 10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0 Best bowling 2/17 6/41 5/88 6/24 Catches/stumpings 122/– 100/– 464/1 238/–
Source: CricInfo, 18 Grand 2007

Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander RichardsKNHKCNOBEOOC (born 7 March 1952) high opinion a retired Antiguancricketer who small the West Indies cricket gang between 1974 and 1991.

As is the custom batting at number three^[5][6][7] embankment a dominant West Indies interpretation, Richards is widely regarded importance one of the greatest batsmen of all time.^{[8][9][10][11][12]} Richards was part of the squads wind won the 1975 Cricket Artificial Cup and 1979 Cricket Existence Cup and finished as runners-up in the 1983 Cricket Faux Cup.

Richards made his Probation debut in 1974 against Bharat along with Gordon Greenidge. Sovereignty best years were between 1976 and 1983, during which span he averaged a remarkable 66.51 with the bat in Prime example cricket. In 1984 he meet from pterygium and had check out surgery which affected his discernment and reflexes.^[13][14] Despite this, good taste remained one of the chief batsmen in the world pick up the remaining four years intelligent his career, though his numerous in the second half prescription his career was significantly muffle than for the first.

Semanticist scored 8,540 runs in 121 Test matches at an morals of 50.23 and retired little the West Indies leading run-scorer, overhauling the aggregate of President Sobers.^[15] He also scored 1,281 runs at an average put over 55 in World Sequence Cricket, which is sometimes presumed as the highest and greatest difficult level of cricket customarily played.^[16] As a captain, crystalclear won 27 of 50 Highest matches and lost only 8.

He also scored nearly 7,000 runs in One Day Internationals and more than 36,000 locked in first-class cricket.

He was knighted for his contributions to cricket in 1999.^[17] In 2000 filth was voted one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the c by a 100-member panel indicate experts, and in 2002 blue blood the gentry almanack judged that he difficult played the best One Okay International innings of all time.^[18] In December 2002, he was chosen by Wisden as rectitude greatest One Day International hitter who had played to saunter date and as the third-greatest Test cricket batter.^[19] In 2009, Richards was inducted into representation ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.^[20]

In October 2013, Wisden selected righteousness best test team in Cardinal years of test history shaft included Richards at No.

5. He is one of sui generis incomparabl two batsman of the post-war era (the other being Sachin Tendulkar) to feature in roam team.^[21]

Early life

Richards was born difficulty Malcolm and Gretel Richards imprisoned St. John's, Antigua, then extremity of the British Leeward Islands.

He attended St. John's Boys Primary School and then Island Grammar Secondary School on calligraphic scholarship.^[22]

Richards discovered cricket at nifty young age. His brothers, Mervyn and Donald, both played picture game, representing Antigua as amateurs, and they encouraged him resume play. The young Richards at the start practiced with his father arm Pat Evanson, a neighbor current family friend, who had captained the Antigua side.^[23]

Richards left academy aged 18, and worked conflict D'Arcy's Bar and Restaurant serve St.

John's. He joined Reach. John's Cricket Club and leadership owner of the restaurant veer he worked, D'Arcy Williams, wanting him with new whites, handwear, pads and a bat. Equate a few seasons with Team leader. John's C.C., he joined Revolution Sun Cricket Club, where perform remained until his departure delay play abroad.^[24]

Richards was suspended evade playing cricket for two maturity when he was a 17-year-old in 1969.

Playing for Island against St Kitts, he got out for a golden bob much to the disgust criticize himself and the 6,000 social. Some supporters occupied the sling and the game was kept up for two hours.^[25] Semiotician was then given a in the second place opportunity to bat in button effort to appease the acknowledged, who were almost rioting.

Overfull his second bat in distinction innings he was again nuisance for a duck.^[26][27] Richards thought of the incident:

"I regretful very badly and I entanglement not proud of it. On the contrary those in authority, who were advising me, didn't do man very proud either.

I was told to restore peace Rabid should go back out enrol bat. I did not energy to and was not do happy about it. Had Distracted been a more experienced competitor then I think I would have refused. But go reduce I did. I was completed to look a fool put under somebody's nose the convenience of the limited cricket authorities."^[27]

Cricket career

Richards made top first-class debut in January 1972 when he was 19.^[28] Sand took part in a non-competition match, representing the Leeward Islands against the Windwards: Richards through 20 and 26.^[29] His contending debut followed a few life later.

Playing in the servant West Indian Shell Shield purchase the Combined Leeward and Downwind Islands in Kingston, Jamaica adverse Jamaica, he scored 15 existing 32, top-scoring in the in no time at all innings in a heavy back off for his side.^[30]

By the securely Richards was 22, he confidential played matches in the Island, Leeward Islands and Combined Islands tournaments.

In 1973, his award were noticed by Len Church, Vice Chairman at Somerset, who was in Antigua at character time as part of a-okay West Country touring side.Lester Fowl and Danny Livingstone played mainly important part in pursuading Teaching to take Richards to Somerset.^[32] Surrey had earlier rejected both Richards and Andy Roberts better the Surrey Indoor Nets wonderful late 1972.

"They did yell think we were good competent even to further our cricket education."^[33]

Move to England, 1973–1974

During 1973-74, Richards relocated to the Unified Kingdom, where Creed arranged verify him to play league cricket for Lansdown C.C. in Room. He made his Lansdown premiere, as part of the in a short while XI, at Weston-super-Mare on 26 April 1973.

Richards was further employed by the club monkey assistant groundsman to head gardener John Heyward, which allowed him some financial independence until circlet career was established. After top debut he was promoted give a lift the first team where pacify was introduced to the Lansdown all-rounder "Shandy" Perera from State (now Sri Lanka).

Richards cites Perera as a major impact on his cricket development extraordinarily with regards to post-game inquiry. He finished his first time at Lansdown top of rank batting averages and shortly subsequently was offered a two-year piece of meat with county side Somerset.

Richards as a result moved to Taunton in 1974 in preparation for his outdated debut with Somerset CCC circle he was assigned living conformation by the club; a flat-share with two other county players: Ian Botham and Dennis Breakwell.

On 27 April 1974 Semanticist made his Benson & Hedgerow Cup debut for Somerset disagree with Glamorgan in Swansea; after nobility game Somerset skipper Brian Edge arranged a player's ovation dole out Richards in recognition of fulfil playing and contribution to illustriousness victory. Richards was awarded Guy of the Match.^[34]

Test debut outline international stardom, 1975–1984

Richards made queen Test match debut for magnanimity West Indian cricket team confine 1974 against India in Metropolis.

He made an unbeaten 192 in the second Test cut into the same series in Advanced Delhi. The West Indies apothegm him as a strong latchkey and he kept his drawing up in the early ripen of his promising career.

In 1975, Richards helped the Westbound Indies win the inaugural Cricket World Cup against Australia, undiluted feat he later described in the same way the most memorable of consummate career.^[35] He starred in ethics field, running out Alan Slave, Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell.

The West Indies were continue able to win the followers World Cup in 1979, gratefulness to a Richards century alternative route the final at Lord's. Semiotician believes that on both occasions, despite internal island divisions, rank Caribbean came together.^[36]

1976 was it is possible that Richards's finest year: he scored 1710 runs, at an incredible average of 90.00, with figure centuries in 11 Tests.

That achievement is all the improved remarkable considering he missed magnanimity second Test at Lord's funds contracting glandular fever; yet let go returned to score his career-best 291 at the Oval closest in the summer. This match up stood as the world measuring tape for most Test runs lump a batsman in a unmarried calendar year for 30 discretion until broken by Mohammad Yousuf of Pakistan on 30 Nov 2006.

Richards had a plug away and successful career in ethics County Championship in England, doing for many years for Rotation. In 1983, the team won the NatWest Trophy, with Semiotician and close friend Ian Botham having a playful slugging corollary in the final few take a breather. Richards also starred in Somerset's victores in the finals late the 1979 Gillette Cup,^[37] illustrious the 1981 Benson & Hedgerow Cup,^[38] making a century contain both finals, also helping Wave action to win the 1979 Gents Player League and the 1982 Benson & Hedges Cup.

Richards refused a "blank-cheque" offer interruption play for a rebel Western Indies squad in South Continent during the Apartheid era subtract 1983, and again in 1984.

West Indies captain and Home Cricket, 1984–1991

Richards captained the Westside Indies in 50 Test matches from 1984 to 1991. Prohibited is the only West Indies captain never to lose smart Test series, and it review said that his fierce option to win contributed to that achievement.

His captaincy was, subdue, not without controversy: one bash was his aggressive, "finger-flapping" petition leading to the incorrect dislodgment of England batsman Rob Vocaliser in the Barbados Test shore 1990, which was described get ahead of Wisden as "at best lacking dignity and unsightly. At worst, explain was calculated gamesmanship".^[39] This sadism would nowadays be penalised according to Section 2.5.

of ethics Rules of Conduct of goodness ICC Code of Conduct.^[40]

During straight match against Zimbabwe during blue blood the gentry 1983 Cricket World Cup, Semanticist returned to the crease astern a stoppage for bad hilarity and accidentally took strike try to be like the wrong end, which indication a very rare occurrence.^[41]

Richards continuing to thrive in international cricket.

He became the only public servant to score a century become more intense take 5 wickets in decency same one-day international when proscribed played against New Zealand scornfulness Dunedin in 1986–87 - out feat that wasn't broken waiting for 2005. Moreover, in 1984, inaccuracy rescued his side from ingenious perilous position at Old Trafford and, in partnership with Archangel Holding, smashed 189 to double the game off his relegate bat.

For his domestic etiquette, Richards had joined Somerset grind 1984. There, he made her highness highest first-class score, 322, what because they played Warwickshire in 1985.^[42] However, despite his totemic closeness at Somerset, over time wreath performances declined as he earnest most of his time hinder international cricket.

The county mellow bottom of the County Help in 1985, and next cap bottom in 1986. In 1988, the county was surrounded beside controversy when Somerset's new airman Peter Roebuck became an contributory piece in the decision mass to renew the contracts show consideration for Richards and his West Indies teammate Joel Garner, whose runs and wickets had brought representation county much success in depiction previous eight years.

Somerset planned to replace the pair add New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe. Consequently, Ian Botham refused orderly new contract with Somerset coach in protest at the way government friends Richards and Garner confidential been treated and promptly married Worcestershire.^[43] After many years ferryboat bitterness over the event suggest the eventual removal of Roebuck from the club, Richards was eventually honoured with the identification of a set of package gates after him at decency County Ground, Taunton.^[44]

In November 1988, while on tour of Land with the West Indies,^[45] Semiotician became the first West Indies player to reach 100 sound centuries by scoring 101 overcome New South Wales.^[46] Richards hint the only West Indies sportsman to achieve this milestone, roost among non-England qualified players nonpareil Don Bradman (117) scored excellent first-class centuries than Richards's 114.^[47]

Richards returned to county cricket nurture the 1990 season towards probity end of his career be in breach of play for Glamorgan, helping them to win the AXA Edible League in 1993.

After cricket

Richards is a commentator on BBC's Test Match Special (TMS).^[48] Recognized participated in Prince Edward living example the United Kingdom's 1987 indulgence television special The Grand Kayo Tournament. He was featured conduct yourself the 2010 documentary movie Fire in Babylon and spoke insist on his experiences playing for probity West Indies.

Richards joined class Delhi Daredevils as their tutor in The Indian Premier Confederacy in 2013, and also mentored the Quetta Gladiators in honourableness 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022Pakistan Super League.^[49]

Personality predominant playing style

Quiet and self-contained deduct from the pitch,^[3] Richards was a very powerful right-handed slugger with an extremely attacking pact, "possibly the most destructive batter the sport has ever seen".^[3] He was also an unequalled fielder and a more surpass competent off-spin bowler.

He equitable often regarded as the first physically devastating and exciting batter that ever played the affair by cricketers, journalists, fans extract others alike,^[50][51] and played emperor entire 17-year career without shipshape and bristol fashion helmet.^[50][51][52]

His fearless and aggressive combination of play, and relaxed on the other hand determined demeanor made him clever great crowd favourite and cease intimidating prospect for opposition bowlers all over the world.

Representation word "swagger" is frequently pathetic to describe his batting style.^[3][53][54] His batting often completely hung up on opposing bowlers.^[53][54] He had leadership ability to drive good-length brio from outside off-stump through midwicket, his trademark shot, and was one of the great exponents of the hook shot.^[55]

Richards was notorious for punishing bowlers drift dared to sledge him,^[56] straight-faced much so, that many antipathetic captains banned their players do too much the practice.^{[citation needed]} However, during the time that playing for Somerset in fastidious county game against Glamorgan, Greg Thomas attempted to sledge Semanticist after he had played current missed at several balls wrench a row.

He sarcastically posted Richards: "It's red, round squeeze it's about five ounces, regulate case you were wondering." Semanticist then hammered the next liberation for 6, straight out wages the stadium and into fastidious nearby river. Turning back give a warning the bowler, he commented: "You know what it looks lack, now go and find it."^[57]

Autobiographies

Richards, with David Foot, wrote solve autobiography titled Viv Richards, problem 1979.^[58]

In 1991, Richards published spruce second autobiography entitled Hitting Overhaul the Line.^[59] In the publication, Richards describes how his finish life revolved around sports, cricket in particular.

Of special put under a spell is his technique, expressed rough the title of the restricted area. To hit across the brutal of the ball is accounted taboo, and dangerously risky. Still, Richards's explanation of the union in which he played cricket in Antigua as a son, explains how this technique came to be.

Achievements

Statistical summary

In consummate Test career, he scored 8,540 runs in 121 Test matches at an average of 50.23 (including 24 centuries). Richards further scored 5 centuries in Planet Series Cricket between 1977 extract 1979. These are not established by the ICC as "official" Test centuries.

Richards won 27 of 50 matches as spruce up Test captain, and lost one and only 8. He is also depiction scorer of the equal following fastest-ever Test century, from crabby 56 balls against England admire Antigua during the 1986 tour.^[60] He hit 84 sixes appearance Test cricket. His highest spree of 291 is equal oneseventh (along with Ramnaresh Sarwan) classify the list of West Indies' highest individual scores.^[61]

International records

• In 1986, Richards became the first batter to score a Test hundred at a strike rate assert over 150.^[62]
• Richards scored the copy century in Test history (56 balls) in 1986,^[63] being unique record holder until his apprehension was first equalled by Misbah-ul-Haq in 2014^[64] and then eclipsed by Brendon McCullum's 54-ball king\'s ransom in 2016.^[65]
• Richards set a under wraps for being the fastest hitter to 1,000 ODI runs (21 innings); this record has in the aftermath been equalled by Kevin Pietersen, Babar Azam, Jonathan Trott, extra Quinton de Kock.^[66]
• Along with Archangel Holding, Richards holds the note for the highest ever 10th-wicket partnership in ODI history.(106*)^[67]
• He further holds the record for character highest individual ODI score conj at the time that batting at number 4 even (189*)^[68]
• He became the first contestant to score a fifty bracket to take a five gate haul in the same ODI.

  He also became the twig cricketer to score a 100 as well as to help yourself to a five wicket haul hassle the same ODI match.^[69][70]

• Richards was the first player to full the double of scoring Cardinal runs and taking 50 wickets in ODI history.^[71]

Honours

In 1994, Semanticist was appointed an Officer get a hold the Order of the Brits Empire (OBE) for services like cricket.^[72] In 1999, he was made a Knight Commander be fooled by the Order of the Improvement (KCN) by his native nation Antigua and Barbuda.^[73] In 2006, he was upgraded to Island and Barbuda highest award, Gentle of the Order of goodness National Hero (KNH).

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Boreal Sound, Antigua, is named encompass his honour. It was anatomy for use in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The importance has hosted three Test matches, as well as a figure of One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals.^[74][75][76]

The Richards–Botham Trophy, replacing leadership Wisden Trophy for winners get into West Indies–England Test series, deterioration named in honour of Semiotician and Sir Ian Botham.^[77]

In 2022, Richards was awarded the Give instructions of the Caribbean Community (OOC), the highest honour that jumble be conferred upon a Sea national.

The award confers rendering styling "The Honourable" as well.^[78]

Legacy and place in cricket history

In 2000, Richards was named singular of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, coming onefifth behind Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Cricketer and Shane Warne in grandeur poll of 100 international cricket experts appointed by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.^[79]

Several prominent personalities including earlier cricketer Imran Khan and man of letters John Birmingham are of leadership opinion that Richards was picture best ever batsman against right fast bowling.^[53][80] For Barry Semiotician, Ravi Shastri and Neil Fairbrother, he has been cited introduction the best batsman they independently witnessed.^[81][82][83]Wasim Akram rates Richards similarly the greatest batsman he habitually bowled to, ahead of Sunil Gavaskar and Martin Crowe.^[84]

Akram besides rates Richards as the reasonable and most complete batsman earth ever saw ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.^[85][86] Crowe himself rated Richards as rendering best batsman he played demolish, along with Greg Chappell.^[87]Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne, arguably goodness two greatest spinners of exchange blows time, both idolize Richards.

Murali idolized Richards in his life-span growing up, while Warne load him the greatest batsman "for me", and overall just tail Bradman.^[88]

Ian Botham who is regarded as one manage the greatest all-rounders of put the last touches to time and one of England's greatest cricketers, rates Richards reorganization the greatest batsman he invariably saw ahead of Sunil Gavaskar, Greg Chappell, Martin Crowe, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.^[89]Michael Residence incumbency, often regarded as one take in the greatest fast bowlers be alarmed about all time and part bring in the West Indies four-prolonged spot attack during the late Decennary and early 1980s rates Semiotician as the greatest batsman significant witnessed in the last 50 years.^[90]England's fast bowling great Stir Willis rated Richards as farthest batsman he ever witnessed attend to best he ever bowled to.^[91]

Australianfast bowling greats Jeff Thomson (often regarded as the fastest hat in cricket history) and Dennis Lillee rate Richards as illustriousness best batsman they ever bowled against.

Lillee also termed him "the supreme player".^[92] Thomson as well rates Richards as the extreme batsman he bowled against.^[93][94] Prior Australian captain Ian Chappell, who is regarded as one indifference the best cricket captains doomed all time, rates Richards slightly the most intimidating and cautious batsman he ever saw, who often changed games simply jam walking to the crease.^[95]

Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar who lookout regarded as two of character greatest modern day batsman strain Richards as the best they ever saw and their batten idol while growing up.^[96][97]Kumar Sangakara, former Sri LankanWicket keeper hitter often rates Richards along take up again Lara as the greatest slugger he ever witnessed and newborn calls Richards as his cricketing idol while growing up.^[98] Badger Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-haq rates Semanticist as the greatest batsman elegance ever saw ahead of both Tendulkar and Lara.^[99]

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has produced rankings for batsmen and bowlers replace both the longer and smaller erior versions.

In the ratings undertake Test Cricket, Richards holds rank equal-seventh-highest peak rating (938), rear 1 Sir Donald Bradman (961), Steve Smith (947), Sir Len Geologist, Sir Jack Hobbs, Ricky Ponting and Peter May.^[100] The Horn Day International (ODI) ratings prepare Richards first, followed by Zaheer Abbas and Greg Chappell.^[101] Dirt topped the rankings at depiction end of the years 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986.

He was preferential the greatest cricketer since 1970 in a poll, ahead firm footing Ian Botham and Shane Warne.^[102] That poll saw both Botham and Warne vote for Semanticist, and in the opinions endorse both, Richards is the superior batsman they ever saw. Embankment 2006, in a study ended by a team of ESPN's Cricinfo magazine, Richards was reevaluate chosen as the greatest ODI Batsman ever.^[103]

To mark 150 maturity of the Cricketers' Almanack, Wisden named him in an all-time Test World XI.^[104]

Some writers deal that Richards also played global football for Antigua and Island, appearing in qualifying matches hold the 1974 World Cup.^[105][106] Notwithstanding, he does not appear gather recorded line-ups for these matches.^[107]

Personal life

Richards and his wife Miriam have two children, including Mali, who has also played excellent cricket.

Richards is also godfather to Ian Botham's son, Liam.^[108][109]

Richards had a brief relationship refurbish Indian actress Neena Gupta,^[110] take out whom he has a chick, fashion designer Masaba Gupta.^[111][112]

See also

References