Viv Richards (b. 1952)

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Biography

Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards is a retired Antiguan cricketer who represented the West Indies cricket team between 1974 and 1991. Usually batting at number three in a dominant West Indies team, Richards is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. Richards was part of the squads that won the 1975 Cricket World Cup and 1979 Cricket World Cup and finished as runners-up in the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

Timeline

The story of Viv Richards, told in moments.

1952 Birth

Born Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards in St. John's, Antigua. His father Malcolm was a prison warden who played competitive cricket. Viv grew up playing on the streets and at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Did your father being a prison warden who played cricket create a unique childhood? Was the Antigua Recreation Ground your real school? Did the streets of St. John's toughen you?

1976 Event

Scored 1,710 Test runs in a single calendar year, a record that stood for 30 years. Averaged 90 in Tests that year. His batting was savage. He didn't wear a helmet. Bowlers feared him, not the other way around.

What did 1,710 Test runs in one year feel like? Why no helmet -- was that swagger or principle? Did bowlers fear you as much as everyone says?

1979 Event

Won his second Cricket World Cup with the West Indies. His 138 not out in the 1979 final against England is considered one of the great World Cup innings. He walked out to bat chewing gum, cap tilted, as if the match bored him slightly.

Was the 1979 World Cup final your greatest innings? Did the chewing gum and tilted cap bother opponents? Was looking bored part of the intimidation?

1986 Life

Hit the fastest Test century in history: 56 balls against England in Antigua. No runner, no helmet, no fear. He'd been captain of the West Indies since 1984 and they were the best team on earth under his watch.

What was 56 balls for a Test century like in real time? Did Antigua feel like your personal fortress? Was captaining the best team on earth the peak?

1999 Legacy

Knighted for his contributions to cricket. Wisden voted him one of five Cricketers of the Century. Retired with 8,540 Test runs at an average of 50.23, but statistics can't capture the menace. He made great bowlers look ordinary.

Does 'Cricketer of the Century' feel adequate? What can't statistics capture about how you played? Was making great bowlers look ordinary your greatest satisfaction?

Artifacts (12)

Hitting Across the Line: An Autobiography

A frank self-portrait of the celebrated cricketer which reveals aspects of his personal and professional lives in Antigua and England. Includes his career statistics, a large selection of annotated...

1991

Works Read Talk

Sir Vivian: The Definitive Autobiography

Wisden Cricket Monthly announced in May 1999 that Vivian Richards had been voted the best international cricketer of the past 25 years by his peers. Ian Botham came second and Shane Warne third. Both...