Viv Richards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Viv Richards

Richards in 2005
Personal information
Full name	Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards
Born	(1952-03-07) 7 March 1952 (age 73) St. John's, British Leeward Islands
Nickname	Master Blaster, Smokin Joe, King Viv
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm slow seam Right-arm off-break
Role	Batsman
International information
National side	West Indies (1974–1991)
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
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1971–1981	Combined Islands
1971–1991	Leeward Islands
1974–1986	Somerset
1976/77	Queensland
1990–1993	Glamorgan
Career statistics
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/–
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  West Indies ICC Cricket World Cup Winner 1975 England Winner 1979 England Runner-up 1983 England and Wales
Source: CricInfo, 18 August 2007

Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards (born 7 March 1952) is a famous retired Antiguan cricket player. He played for the West Indies cricket team from 1974 to 1991. Richards was known as one of the greatest batsmen ever. People often called him "Master Blaster," "Smokin Joe," or "King Viv." He was a key part of the powerful West Indies team that won the 1975 Cricket World Cup and 1979 Cricket World Cup. They also reached the finals in the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

Richards started playing Test cricket in 1974 against India. His best years were from 1976 to 1983. During this time, he scored an amazing 66.51 runs on average in Test matches. Even after eye surgery in 1984, he remained a top player. 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) games.

In 1999, he was made a knight for his great contributions to cricket. In 2000, experts voted him one of Wisden's five best cricketers of the century. He was also chosen as the greatest ODI batsman up to 2002. In 2009, Richards joined the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Cricket Start

Richards was born in St. John's, Antigua. This was part of the British Leeward Islands back then. He went to St. John's Boys Primary School and then Antigua Grammar Secondary School.

He loved cricket from a young age. His brothers, Mervyn and Donald, played for Antigua. They encouraged him to play too. Richards practiced with his father and a family friend, Pat Evanson. Evanson had even captained the Antigua team.

Richards left school at 18. He worked at a restaurant and joined the St. John's Cricket Club. The restaurant owner helped him get new cricket gear. Later, he joined Rising Sun Cricket Club.

When he was 17, Richards was suspended from cricket for two years. This happened during a game where he got out twice without scoring. Fans were very upset, and there was a big disturbance. Richards later said he was not proud of his behavior.

Beginning a Professional Cricket Career

Richards played his first big 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, a man named Len Creed from Somerset in England noticed Richards' talent. Creed helped Richards move to the United Kingdom. Richards played league cricket for Lansdown C.C. in Bath. He also worked as an assistant groundsman at the club. This helped him earn money.

After his first season, Richards was offered a two-year contract with Somerset. He moved to Taunton in 1974. There, 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.

Becoming an International Cricket Star

Richards made his first Test match appearance for the West Indian cricket team in 1974. This was against India in Bangalore. In his second Test, he scored an amazing 192 runs without being out. 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. This was against Australia. He was brilliant in the field, running out three key Australian players. The West Indies won the next World Cup in 1979 too. Richards scored a century in the final game. He felt that these wins brought the Caribbean islands together.

The year 1976 was one of Richards' best. He scored 1710 runs in Test matches, averaging 90.00 runs. He hit seven centuries in 11 Tests. He even scored his highest Test score of 291 runs. This was a world record for most Test runs in a single year for 30 years.

Richards also had a very successful career playing for Somerset in England. He helped them win several trophies. These included the NatWest Trophy in 1983 and the 1979 Gillette Cup.

Richards famously refused to play for a rebel West Indies team in South Africa during the Apartheid era. He did this in 1983 and again in 1984.

Leading the West Indies Team

Richards was the captain of the West Indies team in 50 Test matches from 1984 to 1991. He is the only West Indies captain who never lost a Test series. People say his strong desire to win helped him achieve this.

In 1986, Richards made history. He became the first batsman to score a Test century very quickly, with a strike rate over 150. He also scored the fastest century in Test history at that time, in just 56 balls. This record stood for many years.

For his club team, Somerset, Richards scored his highest first-class score of 322 runs in 1985. However, his performances for Somerset started to decline. This was because he focused more on international cricket. In 1988, Richards and his teammate Joel Garner were not offered new contracts by Somerset. This caused a lot of controversy. As a result, Ian Botham also left the club in protest. Later, Somerset honored Richards by naming entrance gates after him at their ground.

In 1988, Richards became the first West Indies player to score 100 first-class centuries. He is still the only West Indies player to reach this milestone. Richards played for Glamorgan towards the end of his career. He helped them win a league title in 1993.

After Cricket and His Playing Style

Richards being interviewed after a cricket match in 2006

After retiring from playing, Richards became a cricket commentator. He has worked for BBC's Test Match Special. He also appeared in the 2010 documentary Fire in Babylon, talking about his time with the West Indies team. Richards has also worked as a mentor for cricket teams like the Delhi Daredevils and the Quetta Gladiators.

Richards was a very powerful right-handed batsman. He played with a very attacking style. Many people say he was the most exciting batsman ever. He was also a great fielder and could bowl off-spin. He was famous for playing without a helmet, showing his fearless approach.

His confident and aggressive style made him a favorite with fans. He was also very intimidating for opposing bowlers. Richards was known for hitting balls from outside the off-stump through midwicket. This was his special shot. He was also excellent at the hook shot.

Richards was famous for punishing bowlers who tried to make fun of him. One time, a bowler tried to tease him after he missed a few balls. Richards then hit the next ball for a huge six, out of the stadium and into a river. He then told the bowler, "You know what it looks like, now go and find it."

Achievements and Honours

Cricket Records and Statistics

Richards's Test career batting chart

In his Test career, Richards scored 8,540 runs in 121 matches. His average was 50.23, and he hit 24 centuries. He also won 27 out of 50 matches as a Test captain. He only lost 8. Richards holds the record for the equal second fastest Test century, scoring it in just 56 balls. He hit 84 sixes in Test cricket.

Richards was the fastest batsman to reach 1,000 runs in One Day Internationals (21 innings). He also holds the record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in ODI history with Michael Holding. He is the only player to score a century and take 5 wickets in the same ODI match. Richards was also the first player to score 1000 runs and take 50 wickets in ODI history.

Awards and Recognition

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in 2012

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 North Sound, Antigua, is named after him. It was built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Richards–Botham Trophy is also named in his honor and Sir Ian Botham. This trophy is 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.

Legacy in Cricket History

In 2000, Richards was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. He was ranked fifth by 100 international cricket experts. Many famous cricketers and writers believe Richards was the best batsman ever against fast bowling. Players like Wasim Akram, Ian Botham, and Michael Holding have called him the greatest batsman they ever saw.

Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, two very fast Australian bowlers, also said Richards was the best batsman they ever bowled against. Former Australian captain Ian Chappell said Richards was the most intimidating batsman. He could change games just by walking onto the field.

Modern cricket legends like Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar have said Richards was their batting idol. They consider him the best they ever saw. The International Cricket Council (ICC) ranks Richards as the number one One Day International (ODI) batsman of all time.

In 2006, a study by ESPN's Cricinfo magazine also chose Richards as the greatest ODI Batsman ever. He was also named in an all-time Test World XI team by Wisden to mark 150 years of their Cricketers' Almanack.

Personal Life

Richards and his wife Miriam have two children. Their son, Mali, has also played first-class cricket. Richards is also the godfather to Ian Botham's son, Liam.