Viv Richards' Cricinfo Interview

[Shri]

Viv Richards: 'I felt I was an artist' | Specials | Cricinfo Magazine | Cricinfo.com

Was a good read. Was never known for being subtle, was he?

Champ.

[GingerFurball]

Haha, the main thing I take out of that is how utterly stupid it would have been to sledge Viv.

I think it's a shame him and Warne were born out of sync. I think Viv at his peak vs Warne at his peak would be been a classic confrontation.

[Shri]

But then we would have missed Warne Vs Sachin.

Would have been fun to watch him put Harbhajan in his right place though. Or Andre Nel or Sreesanth. He has said in the interview he like bowlers like those guys.

[Migara]

Viv vs Akthar / Waqar would have been a cracker. Akthar delivered what Viv liked least. Swinging, full, fast deliveries. Not short stff which Viv ate for breakfast.

Well Warne and McGrath vs Viv would've been another real battle.

Viv vs Murali would have gone down as the best, becaue Murali does what he least likes. When you get beaten, he grins.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by metallics2006

But then we would have missed Warne Vs Sachin.

Would have been fun to watch him put Harbhajan in his right place though. Or Andre Nel or Sreesanth. He has said in the interview he like bowlers like those guys.

True, but I think Viv's personality as opposed to Sachin's would have made Viv's battles with Warne even better IMO.

[silentstriker]

I would have paid to see McGrath vs Viv. It would have been awesome. The stonewallers got owned by McGrath. The real explosive batsmen were the ones to have any chance of scoring a lot until you misjudged your off stump one time. Viv would have been great to watch vs. McGrath.

[Richard]

Viv vs. most of the excellent oppo seamers of his day (Lillee, Hadlee, Imran) was indeed many times tremendous viewing. What never got seen was Viv vs. a great oppo spinner, because there weren't any in his day of covered wickets (Underwood would've been had uncovered wickets lasted a bit longer).

Any time you get a top-standard batsman being bowled at by a top-standard bowler over a lengthy series it's going to be fascinating.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

Haha, the main thing I take out of that is how utterly stupid it would have been to sledge Viv.

I think it's a shame him and Warne were born out of sync. I think Viv at his peak vs Warne at his peak would be been a classic confrontation.

Richards of '76 or '79/80 vs. Warne of '93-'93/94 or '97-'97/98. Hmm.

Funny thing about Warne was that he knew who not to sledge. Everyone's always commented how they never saw him say much to Tendulkar or Lara, both of whom (like Stephen Waugh) thrived on bowlers mouthing at them. Personally can see there being some winners and some losers, on each count, should the two of them ever have come-up against each other.

[Sir Alex]

Originally Posted by Richard

Richards of '76 or '79/80 vs. Warne of '93-'93/94 or '97-'97/98. Hmm.

Funny thing about Warne was that he knew who not to sledge. Everyone's always commented how they never saw him say much to Tendulkar or Lara, both of whom (like Stephen Waugh) thrived on bowlers mouthing at them. Personally can see there being some winners and some losers, on each count, should the two of them ever have come-up against each other.

Very good point. The only person who sledged at Tendulkar and got away with it was Glenn McGrath.

[Xuhaib]

Originally Posted by Richard

Viv vs. most of the excellent oppo seamers of his day (Lillee, Hadlee, Imran) was indeed many times tremendous viewing. What never got seen was Viv vs. a great oppo spinner, because there weren't any in his day of covered wickets (Underwood would've been had uncovered wickets lasted a bit longer).

Any time you get a top-standard batsman being bowled at by a top-standard bowler over a lengthy series it's going to be fascinating.

Imran is the only bowler who owned him.

[Top_Cat]

Originally Posted by Richard

Funny thing about Warne was that he knew who not to sledge. Everyone's always commented how they never saw him say much to Tendulkar or Lara, both of whom (like Stephen Waugh) thrived on bowlers mouthing at them.

Warne also knew when to sledge. Went after Lara from '97 onwards as their relationship deteriorated.

[Migara]

Originally Posted by Richard

Viv vs. most of the excellent oppo seamers of his day (Lillee, Hadlee, Imran) was indeed many times tremendous viewing. What never got seen was Viv vs. a great oppo spinner, because there weren't any in his day of covered wickets (Underwood would've been had uncovered wickets lasted a bit longer).

Any time you get a top-standard batsman being bowled at by a top-standard bowler over a lengthy series it's going to be fascinating.

I think Chandrashekar will have lot to say about that. Yes he's no Murali / Warne / O'Riely or Grimmet, but not dross.

[Migara]

Originally Posted by Xuhaib

Imran is the only bowler who owned him.

I doubt it. But I can remember him saying that Chandra was the one he respected most. because not even Chandra knew what's going to come out of his hand.

[Xuhaib]

Originally Posted by Migara

I doubt it. But I can remember him saying that Chandra was the one he respected most. because not even Chandra knew what's going to come out of his hand.

In the 86 and 88 series vs Windies Imran took 41 wickets at at a crazy average of 15 or 16 I don;t know how he performed individually vs Viv but I am pretty sure Viv would have struggled to collar him.

[Avada Kedavra]

Originally Posted by Xuhaib

In the 86 and 88 series vs Windies Imran took 41 wickets at at a crazy average of 15 or 16 I don;t know how he performed individually vs Viv but I am pretty sure Viv would have struggled to collar him.

Imran got Viv out 5 times in 24 innings

Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

Viv's record in matches Imran played

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

Nothing suggests that Imran owned Viv