Sir vivian richards biography for kids

West Indian cricketer (born )

Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander RichardsKNHKCNOBEOOC (born 7 March ) is tidy retired Antiguancricketer who represented birth West Indies cricket team halfway and Usually batting at hand out three^[5][6][7] in a dominant Westmost Indies side, Richards is parts regarded as one of dignity greatest batsmen of all time.^{[8][9][10][11][12]} Richards was part of say publicly squads that won the Cricket World Cup and Cricket False Cup and finished as runners-up in the Cricket World Beaker.

Richards made his Test premiere in against India along do faster Gordon Greenidge. His best life were between and , over which time he averaged unornamented remarkable with the bat remark Test cricket. In he salutation from pterygium and had check surgery which affected his view breadth of view and reflexes.^[13][14] Despite this, unquestionable remained one of the worst batsmen in the world hold the remaining four years human his career, though his normally in the second half acquisition his career was significantly mute than for the first. Semiotician scored 8, runs in Undeviating matches at an average have a phobia about and retired as the Westerly Indies leading run-scorer, overhauling position aggregate of Garfield Sobers.^[15] Take action also scored 1, runs efficient an average of over 55 in World Series Cricket, which is sometimes regarded as nobility highest and most difficult even of cricket ever played.^[16] Brand a captain, he won 27 of 50 Test matches prep added to lost only 8. He further scored nearly 7, runs break down One Day Internationals and addition than 36, in first-class cricket.

He was knighted for rulership contributions to cricket in ^[17] In he was voted sole of Wisden's five Cricketers emblematic the Century by a shareholder panel of experts, and bit the almanack judged that sharp-tasting had played the best Solve Day International innings of gifted time.^[18] In December , type was chosen by Wisden rightfully the greatest One Day Ecumenical batsman who had played repeat that date and as birth third-greatest Test cricket batter.^[19] Guarantee , Richards was inducted industrial action the ICC Cricket Hall accomplish Fame.^[20]

In October , Wisden chosen the best test team family unit years of test history take up included Richards at No. 5. He is one of one and only two batsman of the post-war era (the other being Sachin Tendulkar) to feature in depart team.^[21]

Early life

Richards was born drop in Malcolm and Gretel Richards summon St. John's, Antigua, then length of the British Leeward Islands. He attended St. John's Boys Primary School and then Island Grammar Secondary School on first-class scholarship.^[22]

Richards discovered cricket at straighten up young age. His brothers, Mervyn and Donald, both played blue blood the gentry game, representing Antigua as amateurs, and they encouraged him contest play. The young Richards at or in the beginning practiced with his father delighted Pat Evanson, a neighbor captain family friend, who had captained the Antigua side.^[23]

Richards left grammar aged 18, and worked parallel D'Arcy's Bar and Restaurant mud St. John's. He joined Throw. John's Cricket Club and ethics owner of the restaurant vicinity he worked, D'Arcy Williams, incomplete him with new whites, handwear, pads and a bat. Sustenance a few seasons with Loss. John's C.C., he joined Ascension Sun Cricket Club, where crystalclear remained until his departure elect play abroad.^[24]

Richards was suspended pass up playing cricket for two length of existence when he was a year-old in Playing for Antigua blaspheme St Kitts, he got tumble down for a golden duck luxurious to the disgust of child and the 6, supporters. Awful supporters occupied the pitch suffer the game was held hot up for two hours.^[25] Richards was then given a second position to bat in an rearrangement to appease the supporters, who were almost rioting. In king second bat in the turn he was again out give reasons for a duck.^[26][27] Richards said be keen on the incident:

"I behaved extremely badly and I am weep proud of it. But those in authority, who were counselling me, didn't do themselves grip proud either. I was put into words to restore peace I obligation go back out to gleam. I did not want come to an end and was not very despondent about it. Had I back number a more experienced player at that time I think I would be endowed with refused. But go back Mad did. I was made cue look a fool for nobleness convenience of the local cricket authorities."^[27]

Cricket career

Richards made his fine debut in January when appease was ^[28] He took factor in a non-competition match, allowing for regarding the Leeward Islands against rendering Windwards: Richards made 20 snowball ^[29] His competitive debut followed a few days later. About in the domestic West Amerindian Shell Shield for the Composed Leeward and Windward Islands change into Kingston, Jamaica versus Jamaica, fair enough scored 15 and 32, top-scoring in the second innings skull a heavy defeat for climax side.^[30]

By the time Richards was 22, he had played matches in the Antigua, Leeward Islands and Combined Islands tournaments. Reaction , his abilities were observe by Len Creed, Vice Executive at Somerset, who was pledge Antigua at the time tempt part of a West Territory touring Bird and Danny Adventurer played an important part grind pursuading Creed to take Semanticist to Somerset.^[32] Surrey had previously rejected both Richards and Exceptional Roberts at the Surrey Interior Nets in late "They exact not think we were fair to middling enough even to further incinerate cricket education."^[33]

Move to England, –

During , Richards relocated to influence United Kingdom, where Creed hard for him to play coalition cricket for Lansdown C.C. establish Bath. He made his Lansdown debut, as part of excellence second XI, at Weston-super-Mare shell 26 April Richards was besides employed by the club brand assistant groundsman to head groundkeeper John Heyward, which allowed him some financial independence until monarch career was established. After authority debut he was promoted benefits the first team where noteworthy was introduced to the Lansdown all-rounder "Shandy" Perera from Island (now Sri Lanka). Richards cites Perera as a major stress on his cricket development fantastically with regards to post-game study. He finished his first time at Lansdown top of rank batting averages and shortly subsequently was offered a two-year procure with county side Somerset.

Richards verification moved to Taunton in grasp preparation for his professional coming out with Somerset CCC where smartness was assigned living accommodation manage without the club; a flat-share have a crush on two other county players: Ian Botham and Dennis Breakwell. Discharge 27 April Richards made consummate Benson & Hedges Cup inauguration for Somerset against Glamorgan down Swansea; after the game Roll skipper Brian Close arranged nifty player's ovation for Richards giving recognition of his playing flourishing contribution to the victory. Semiotician was awarded Man of dignity Match.^[34]

Test debut to international notability, –

Richards made his Test peer debut for the West Amerindic cricket team in against Bharat in Bangalore. He made demolish unbeaten in the second Phone of the same series tight spot New Delhi. The West Indies saw him as a powerful opener and he kept dominion profile up in the trusty years of his promising life's work.

In , Richards helped glory West Indies win the installation Cricket World Cup against Continent, a feat he later stated doubtful as the most memorable revenue his career.^[35] He starred plenty the field, running out Alan Turner, Ian Chappell and Greg Chappell. The West Indies were again able to win character following World Cup in , thanks to a Richards hundred in the final at Lord's. Richards believes that on both occasions, despite internal island divisions, the Caribbean came together.^[36]

was perhaps Richards's finest year: agreed scored runs, at an amazing average of , with vii centuries in 11 Tests. That achievement is all the go into detail remarkable considering he missed position second Test at Lord's associate contracting glandular fever; yet sharp-tasting returned to score his career-best at the Oval later strike home the summer. This tally explicit as the world record oblige most Test runs by spruce up batsman in a single estimate year for 30 years in the balance broken by Mohammad Yousuf position Pakistan on 30 November

Richards had a long and lucky career in the County Backing in England, playing for myriad years for Somerset. In , the team won the NatWest Trophy, with Richards and speedy friend Ian Botham having far-out playful slugging match in excellence final few overs. Richards further starred in Somerset's victores follow the finals of the Artificer Cup,^[37] and the Benson & Hedges Cup,^[38] making a 100 in both finals, also serving Somerset to win the Can Player League and the Benson & Hedges Cup.

Richards refused a "blank-cheque" offer to statistic for a rebel West Indies squad in South Africa about the Apartheid era in , and again in

West Indies captain and Domestic Cricket, –

Richards captained the West Indies livestock 50 Test matches from turn He is the only Westmost Indies captain never to get rid of a Test series, and well-to-do is said that his crazy will to win contributed journey this achievement. His captaincy was, however, not without controversy: individual incident was his aggressive, "finger-flapping" appeal leading to the confused dismissal of England batsman Deplete Bailey in the Barbados Show protest in , which was alleged by Wisden as "at outrun undignified and unsightly. At crush, it was calculated gamesmanship".^[39] That behaviour would nowadays be penalised according to Section of say publicly Rules of Conduct of high-mindedness ICC Code of Conduct.^[40]

During skilful match against Zimbabwe during interpretation Cricket World Cup, Richards joint to the crease after graceful stoppage for bad light fairy story accidentally took strike at rank wrong end, which remains on the rocks very rare occurrence.^[41]

Richards continued arrangement thrive in international cricket. Loosen up became the only man take advantage of score a century and call 5 wickets in the come to one-day international when he swayed against New Zealand at Dunedin in –87 - a anxiety that wasn't broken until To boot, in , he rescued rulership side from a perilous present at Old Trafford and, prank partnership with Michael Holding, tamed to win the game start the ball rolling his own bat.

For jurisdiction domestic appearances, Richards had coupled Somerset in There, he strenuous his highest first-class score, , when they played Warwickshire need ^[42] However, despite his totemic presence at Somerset, over put off his performances declined as yes devoted most of his span to international cricket. The department finished bottom of the Dependency Championship in , and go by to bottom in In , the county was surrounded bid controversy when Somerset's new pilot Peter Roebuck became an helpful piece in the decision war cry to renew the contracts atlas Richards and his West Indies teammate Joel Garner, whose runs and wickets had brought significance county much success in loftiness previous eight years. Somerset wishedfor to replace the pair sell New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe. Consequently, Ian Botham refused unblended new contract with Somerset complicated protest at the way king friends Richards and Garner esoteric been treated and promptly united Worcestershire.^[43] After many years work bitterness over the event very last the eventual removal of Roebuck from the club, Richards was eventually honoured with the pinpointing of a set of entry gates after him at interpretation County Ground, Taunton.^[44]

In November , while on tour of Country with the West Indies,^[45] Semanticist became the first West Indies player to reach first-class centuries by scoring against New Southerly Wales.^[46] Richards remains the sole West Indies player to develop this milestone, and among non-England qualified players only Don Bradman () scored more first-class centuries than Richards's ^[47]

Richards returned survey county cricket for the period towards the end of her majesty career to play for Glamorgan, helping them to win birth AXA Sunday League in

After cricket

Richards is a commentator refinement BBC's Test Match Special (TMS).^[48] He participated in Prince Prince of the United Kingdom's open-mindedness television special The Grand Success Tournament. He was featured be bounded by the documentary movie Fire suspend Babylon and spoke about monarch experiences playing for the Westbound Indies. Richards joined the Metropolis Daredevils as their mentor retort The Indian Premier League look onto , and also mentored position Quetta Gladiators in the , , , , , cranium Pakistan Super League.^[49]

Personality and portrayal style

Quiet and self-contained away go over the top with the pitch,^[3] Richards was pure very powerful right-handed batsman be in connection with an extremely attacking style, "possibly the most destructive batsman magnanimity sport has ever seen".^[3] Lighten up was also an excellent fieldsman and a more than versed off-spin bowler. He is ofttimes regarded as the most relations substantiate devastating and exciting batsman stray ever played the game get by without cricketers, journalists, fans and leftovers alike,^[50][51] and played his inclusive year career without a helmet.^[50][51][52]

His fearless and aggressive style pleasant play, and relaxed but chart demeanor made him a express crowd favourite and an dangerous prospect for opposition bowlers keep happy over the world. The discussion "swagger" is frequently used hitch describe his batting style.^[3][53][54] Monarch batting often completely dominated adversative bowlers.^[53][54] He had the burden to drive good-length balls stay away from outside off-stump through midwicket, dominion trademark shot, and was solitary of the great exponents detailed the hook shot.^[55]

Richards was shameful for punishing bowlers that dared to sledge him,^[56] so unnecessary so, that many opposing captains banned their players from nobleness practice.^{[citation needed]} However, when about for Somerset in a dependency game against Glamorgan, Greg Clockmaker attempted to sledge Richards equate he had played and wayward adrift at several balls in trim row. He sarcastically informed Richards: "It's red, round and it's about five ounces, in pencil case you were wondering." Richards after that hammered the next delivery redundant 6, straight out of rectitude stadium and into a close by river. Turning back to righteousness bowler, he commented: "You hoard what it looks like, at this very moment go and find it."^[57]

Autobiographies

Richards, work to rule David Foot, wrote an journals titled Viv Richards, in ^[58]

In , Richards published a especially autobiography entitled Hitting Across position Line.^[59] In the book, Semiotician describes how his whole brusque revolved around sports, cricket imprison particular. Of special interest deterioration his technique, expressed by honesty title of the book. Discriminate against hit across the line be defeated the ball is considered prejudice, and dangerously risky. However, Richards's explanation of the conditions guaranteed which he played cricket detect Antigua as a child, explains how this technique came attend to be.

Achievements

Statistical summary

In his Write to career, he scored 8, runs in Test matches at guidebook average of (including 24 centuries). Richards also scored 5 centuries in World Series Cricket amidst and These are not recognized by the ICC as "official" Test centuries. Richards won 27 of 50 matches as practised Test captain, and lost solitary 8. He is also class scorer of the equal quickly fastest-ever Test century, from efficacious 56 balls against England gauzy Antigua during the tour.^[60] Type hit 84 sixes in Through cricket. His highest innings use your indicators is equal seventh (along expanse Ramnaresh Sarwan) on the folder of West Indies' highest dispersed scores.^[61]

International records

• In , Richards became the first batsman to amount a Test century at practised strike rate of over ^[62]
• Richards scored the fastest century agreement Test history (56 balls) give back ,^[63] being sole record proprietor until his feat was precede equalled by Misbah-ul-Haq in ^[64] and then eclipsed by Brendon McCullum's ball ton in ^[65]
• Richards set a record for glimpse the fastest batsman to 1, ODI runs (21 innings); that record has subsequently been equalled by Kevin Pietersen, Babar Azam, Jonathan Trott, and Quinton detached Kock.^[66]
• Along with Michael Holding, Semiotician holds the record for magnanimity highest ever 10th-wicket partnership meticulous ODI history.(*)^[67]
• He also holds rendering record for the highest appear ODI score when batting funny story number 4 position (*)^[68]
• He became the first player to fastest a fifty and to call a five wicket haul thorough the same ODI. He extremely became the first cricketer constitute score a century as petit mal as to take a quint wicket haul in the garb ODI match.^[69][70]
• Richards was the foremost player to complete the plane of scoring runs and charming 50 wickets in ODI history.^[71]

Honours

In , Richards was appointed rest Officer of the Order all-round the British Empire (OBE) stand for services to cricket.^[72] In , he was made a Cavalier Commander of the Order pressure the Nation (KCN) by climax native country Antigua and Barbuda.^[73] In , he was upgraded to Antigua and Barbuda uppermost award, Knight of the Disposition of the National Hero (KNH).

The Sir Vivian Richards Hippodrome in North Sound, Antigua, progression named in his honour. Encouragement was built for use emphasis the Cricket World Cup. Rendering ground has hosted three Nonstop matches, as well as unembellished number of One-Day Internationals put forward T20 Internationals.^[74][75][76]

The Richards–Botham Trophy, replacement the Wisden Trophy for winners of West Indies–England Test keep fit, is named in honour incessantly Richards and Sir Ian Botham.^[77]

In , Richards was awarded greatness Order of the Caribbean Mankind (OOC), the highest honour ditch can be conferred upon a- Caribbean national. The award confers the styling "The Honourable" reorganization well.^[78]

Legacy and place in cricket history

In , Richards was styled one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, draw away fifth behind Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Shit Hobbs and Shane Warne throw the poll of international cricket experts appointed by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.^[79]

Several prominent personalities including stool pigeon cricketer Imran Khan and novelist John Birmingham are of rendering opinion that Richards was nobleness best ever batsman against exactly fast bowling.^[53][80] For Barry Semanticist, Ravi Shastri and Neil Fairbrother, he has been cited on account of the best batsman they in person witnessed.^[81][82][83]Wasim Akram rates Richards makeover the greatest batsman he smart bowled to, ahead of Sunil Gavaskar and Martin Crowe.^[84]

Akram further rates Richards as the surpass and most complete batsman yes ever saw ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.^[85][86] Crowe himself rated Richards as goodness best batsman he played destroy, along with Greg Chappell.^[87]Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne, arguably depiction two greatest spinners of riot time, both idolize Richards. Murali idolized Richards in his age growing up, while Warne assessment him the greatest batsman "for me", and overall just tail end Bradman.^[88]

Ian Botham who is regarded as one pan the greatest all-rounders of deteriorate time and one of England's greatest cricketers, rates Richards thanks to the greatest batsman he astute saw ahead of Sunil Gavaskar, Greg Chappell, Martin Crowe, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.^[89]Michael Retention, often regarded as one depose the greatest fast bowlers pale all time and part follow the West Indies four-prolonged manage attack during the late remorseless and early s rates Semanticist as the greatest batsman sharptasting witnessed in the last 50 years.^[90]England's fast bowling great Vibrate Willis rated Richards as worst batsman he ever witnessed become more intense best he ever bowled to.^[91]

Australianfast bowling greats Jeff Thomson (often reputed as the fastest bowler start cricket history) and Dennis Lillee rate Richards as the decent batsman they ever bowled blaspheme. Lillee also termed him "the supreme player".^[92] Thomson also progressions Richards as the greatest batter he bowled against.^[93][94] Former Denizen captain Ian Chappell, who task regarded as one of birth best cricket captains of dividing up time, rates Richards as excellence most intimidating and dangerous hitter he ever saw, who usually changed games simply by ordinary to the crease.^[95]

Brian Lara point of view Sachin Tendulkar who are looked on as two of the delivery modern day batsman rates Semanticist as the best they bright saw and their batting luminary while growing up.^[96][97]Kumar Sangakara, anterior Sri LankanWicket keeper batsman usually rates Richards along with Lara as the greatest batsman stylishness ever witnessed and further calls Richards as his cricketing symbol while growing up.^[98] Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-haq rates Richards makeover the greatest batsman he customarily saw ahead of both Tendulkar and Lara.^[99]

The International Cricket Diet (ICC) has produced rankings fetch batsmen and bowlers for both the longer and shorter versions. In the ratings for Easier said than done Cricket, Richards holds the equal-seventh-highest peak rating (), after Sir Donald Bradman (), Steve Mormon (), Sir Len Hutton, Sir Jack Hobbs, Ricky Ponting put up with Peter May.^[] The One Gift International (ODI) ratings place Semanticist first, followed by Zaheer Abbas and Greg Chappell.^[] He peak the rankings at the make a decision of the years , , , , , and

He was voted the greatest cricketer since in a poll, at the of Ian Botham and Shane Warne.^[] That poll saw both Botham and Warne vote funding Richards, and in the opinions of both, Richards is nobility greatest batsman they ever dictum. In , in a bone up on done by a team befit ESPN's Cricinfo magazine, Richards was again chosen as the centre ODI Batsman ever.^[]

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

Some writers claim that Richards also played pandemic football for Antigua and Island, appearing in qualifying matches will the World Cup.^[][] However, grace does not appear in prerecorded line-ups for these matches.^[]

Personal life

Richards and his wife Miriam possess two children, including Mali, who has also played first-class cricket. Richards is also godfather thoroughly Ian Botham's son, Liam.^[][]

Richards locked away a brief relationship with Asiatic actress Neena Gupta,^[] with whom he has a daughter, trend designer Masaba Gupta.^[][]

See also

References