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(Part thirteen.) Greatness-in-waiting.
Most of the individual batting records of Vivian Richards have long been surpassed.
But, with 38 days to go to the 50th anniversary of the West Indies’ defeat of Australia in the inaugural men’s World Cup final at Lord’s, it is worth pointing out one unwanted achievement by the man who would become the personification of domineering batsmanship.
This record came in early 1970 when the 17-year-old Richards, playing his first senior match for Antigua and Barbuda against Saint Kitts at the Antigua Recreation Ground, was dismissed for a “duck” three times in a two innings match.
How, you ask?
Well, given out first ball, caught bat-pad, in the first innings, Richards reacted with such petulance that many among the near-capacity crowd stormed the field proclaiming: “No Vivi, No Match!”
Erroneously reinstated just to prevent a complete riot, he was promptly stumped first ball and then caught at cover in the second innings—again without scoring.
His behaviour earned him a two-year ban from all cricket but revealed at least two things: his own people already idolised him and were expecting great things from him, and he was already possessed of such a fierce intensity and competitiveness.
Richards used that intensity and competitiveness, in years to come, to intimidate the opposition—and especially the bowlers—just by the manner in which he strode to the crease.
Having served his time on the sidelines, an impatient Richards broke into the West Indies team by virtue of consistent scoring for the Combined Islands. He was only the second Antiguan to make the regional team, after fast bowler Andy Roberts, a few months earlier.
It should also be noted that Richards’ selection was prompted by Jamaica batsman Maurice Foster’s decision not to accept the offer of a place in the squad for the 1974/75 tour of the Indian sub-continent.
Both Antiguans were already plying their trade on the English county circuit, Richards for Somerset and Roberts for Hampshire. And while the pacer was immediately among the wickets in India, the young batsman endured a double-failure on debut.
(via CricToday.)
Richards made amends in spectacular fashion in his next effort: an unbeaten 192 in the first innings of the second Test at Delhi—an innings embellished with 20 fours and six sixes. He had arrived on the world stage.
Back to that first Test though where the debutant showed his worth in the field.
Occupying the usual newcomer’s position at forward short-leg late on day one, Richards first held a low catch off compatriot Roberts to remove India opener Farokh Engineer. And then, in a stunning display of reflexes and athleticism, he parried a firm push by the other opener, Sunil Gavaskar, before diving backwards to complete an outstanding grab off Vanburn Holder.
We will always remember the majestic batsmanship and imperious swagger—but as he displayed then and seven months later at Lord’s, Vivian Richards was also among the very best in the field.
Next: Keith Boyce—exciting and erratic.
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Fazeer Mohammed is a journalist/broadcaster with almost 40 years’ experience across a range of media.
His interest in cricket, and particularly its history, started at home via his father’s small collection of autobiographies and magazines, offering perspectives and context which have informed his commentary and analysis on contemporary issues in the game.
