Viv Richards facts for kids
Richards in 2005
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| Full name |
Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards
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| Born | 7 March 1952 St. John's, British Leeward Islands |
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| Nickname | Master Blaster, Smokin Joe, King Viv | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling |
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| Role | Batting all-rounder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 151) | 22 November 1974 v India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 8 August 1991 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ODI debut (cap 14) | 7 June 1975 v Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last ODI | 27 May 1991 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1971–1981 | Combined Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1971–1991 | Leeward Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1974–1986 | Somerset | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1976/77 | Queensland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1993 | Glamorgan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Source: CricInfo, 10 August 1993
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Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, born on March 7, 1952, is a famous retired cricketer from Antigua and Barbuda. He played for the West Indies cricket team from 1974 to 1991. Richards was known as a powerful right-handed batsman, often batting at number three. Many people consider him one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
He was a key player in the West Indies teams that won the 1975 Cricket World Cup and 1979 Cricket World Cup. They also reached the finals of the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Richards made his first Test match appearance in 1974 against India. His best years were from 1976 to 1983, where he scored runs at an amazing average in Test cricket.
Even after having eye surgery in 1984, he remained a top batsman. Richards scored 8,540 runs in 121 Test matches. He was the West Indies' highest run-scorer when he retired. He also scored nearly 7,000 runs in One Day International (ODI) matches.
In 1999, he received a special honor and was knighted for his contributions to cricket. In 2000, experts voted him one of Wisden's five greatest cricketers of the century. He was also named the best ODI batsman of all time by Wisden in 2002. In 2009, Richards was added to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Cricket Beginnings
Viv Richards was born in St. John's, Antigua. His parents were Malcolm and Gretel Richards. He went to St. John's Boys Primary School and then Antigua Grammar Secondary School.
Richards loved cricket from a young age. His brothers, Mervyn and Donald, also played cricket for Antigua. They encouraged him to play. He practiced with his father and a family friend, Pat Evanson, who used to captain the Antigua team.
After school, Richards worked at a restaurant. He joined the St. John's Cricket Club. The restaurant owner helped him get new cricket gear. Later, he joined the Rising Sun Cricket Club.
When he was 17, Richards faced a tough moment during a game. He got out quickly, and some fans were very upset. He was given a second chance to bat to calm the crowd. Richards said he learned a lot from this experience about how to handle pressure.
Cricket Career Highlights
Richards played his first major cricket match in January 1972. He was 19 years old. He played for the Leeward Islands against the Windwards. A few days later, he made his official debut in the Shell Shield tournament.
In 1973, Len Creed from Somerset in England noticed Richards' talent. Creed helped Richards move to the United Kingdom. There, Richards played for Lansdown C.C. in Bath. He also worked as an assistant groundsman. This helped him financially as he started his cricket career.
After a successful first season, Richards signed a two-year contract with Somerset. In 1974, he moved to Taunton. He shared a flat with other players, including Ian Botham. Richards made his professional debut for Somerset in April 1974. He was named Man of the Match in his first game.
International Stardom
Richards made his Test debut for the West Indian cricket team in 1974 against India. He scored an amazing 192 runs in his second Test match. The West Indies team saw him as a strong opening batsman.
In 1975, Richards helped the West Indies win the first-ever Cricket World Cup. He played a big role in the field, running out three Australian players. The West Indies won the next World Cup in 1979 too. Richards scored a century (100 runs) in the final match. He believed these wins brought the Caribbean islands together.
The year 1976 was one of Richards' best. He scored 1710 runs in Test matches, with an average of 90.00. He hit seven centuries that year. This was a world record for the most Test runs in a single year for 30 years.
Richards also had a long and successful career playing for Somerset in England. He helped them win several trophies, including the NatWest Trophy in 1983. He scored centuries in two finals, showing his importance to the team.
Richards famously refused to play for a rebel West Indies team in South Africa during the Apartheid era in 1983 and 1984. This was a time when there were unfair laws against people of color in South Africa.
West Indies Captaincy
Richards became the captain of the West Indies Test team in 1984. He led the team in 50 Test matches until 1991. He is the only West Indies captain who never lost a Test series. His strong desire to win helped him achieve this.
In 1986, Richards made history by scoring the fastest century in Test cricket. He reached 100 runs in just 56 balls against England. This record stood for many years. He also became the first player to score a century and take five wickets in the same One Day International match.
In domestic cricket, Richards scored his highest first-class score of 322 runs for Somerset in 1985. Later, in 1988, Richards and his teammate Joel Garner left Somerset. This caused some sadness among fans and players like Ian Botham, who also left the club in protest. However, Richards was later honored with entrance gates named after him at the County Ground in Taunton.
In 1988, Richards became the first West Indies player to score 100 first-class centuries. He ended his career with 114 first-class centuries. Towards the end of his career, he played for Glamorgan, helping them win the AXA Sunday League in 1993.
After Cricket
After retiring from playing, Richards became a cricket commentator. He has also worked as a mentor for cricket teams like the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League and the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League. He appeared in the 2010 documentary film Fire in Babylon, where he talked about his time playing for the West Indies.
Playing Style and Personality
Viv Richards was known for his powerful and attacking batting style. Many people say he was one of the most exciting batsmen ever. He played his entire career without wearing a helmet, which showed his confidence.
His fearless way of playing made him a favorite with fans. He was also very intimidating for opposing bowlers. Richards was famous for his "swagger" when he batted. He could hit the ball very hard, especially his trademark shot through midwicket.
Richards was also known for punishing bowlers who tried to tease him. There's a famous story where a bowler named Greg Thomas tried to tease him. Richards then hit the next ball out of the stadium and told the bowler to go find it.
Achievements and Honors
Statistical Summary
In his Test career, Viv Richards scored 8,540 runs in 121 matches. He had an average of 50.23, including 24 centuries. He also scored 5 centuries in World Series Cricket, which were not officially recognized as Test centuries. As a Test captain, he won 27 out of 50 matches and only lost 8.
International Records
- In 1986, Richards was the first batsman to score a Test century very quickly, with a strike rate over 150.
- He held the record for the fastest Test century (56 balls) for many years.
- Richards was the fastest batsman to reach 1,000 ODI runs (in 21 innings).
- He holds the record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in ODI history with Michael Holding (106* runs).
- He also holds the record for the highest individual ODI score when batting at number 4 position (189* runs).
- Richards was the first player to score a fifty and take five wickets in the same ODI. He was also the first to score a century and take five wickets in the same ODI.
- He was the first cricketer to achieve the double of scoring 1000 runs and taking 50 wickets in ODI history.
Honors and Recognition
In 1994, Richards was given the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award for his services to cricket. In 1999, his home country, Antigua and Barbuda, made him a Knight Commander of the Order of the Nation (KCN). In 2006, he received Antigua and Barbuda's highest award, Knight of the Order of the National Hero (KNH).
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua is named after him. It was built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. This stadium has hosted many international cricket matches.
The Richards–Botham Trophy is named in honor of Richards and his friend Sir Ian Botham. This trophy is now given to the winners of Test series between the West Indies and England.
In 2022, Richards received the Order of the Caribbean Community (OOC). This is the highest honor for a Caribbean person. This award also gives him the title "The Honourable."
Legacy in Cricket History
In 2000, Richards was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. He was ranked fifth by 100 cricket experts. Many famous cricketers and writers believe Richards was the best batsman ever against fast bowling.
Players like Wasim Akram, Barry Richards, and Neil Fairbrother have said he was the best batsman they ever saw. Akram even rated Richards as the greatest and most complete batsman, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.
Ian Botham, a great all-rounder, also rates Richards as the best batsman he ever saw. Michael Holding, a famous fast bowler, believes Richards was the greatest batsman of the last 50 years. Australian fast bowling legends Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee also said Richards was the best batsman they ever bowled against.
Even modern-day legends like Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar consider Richards their batting idol. Kumar Sangakara and Inzamam-ul-haq also rate Richards as one of the greatest batsmen they witnessed.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) ranks players. In Test cricket, Richards has one of the highest peak ratings ever (938). In One Day International (ODI) ratings, Richards is ranked first. He topped the ODI rankings at the end of many years, including 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1986.
In 2006, a study by ESPN's Cricinfo magazine also chose Richards as the greatest ODI Batsman ever. He was also included in an all-time Test World XI team by Wisden to mark its 150th anniversary.
Personal Life
Viv Richards is married to Miriam, and they have two children. Their son, Mali, has also played first-class cricket. Richards is also the godfather to Ian Botham's son, Liam.
Richards also has a daughter, Masaba Gupta, who is a fashion designer.
