CW50 2nd Edition - No 07

[smalishah84]

Number 07 Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards

Highest Ranking 2
Total Points 813
Number of Votes Received 51/57
Rank in 1st Edition 8

What they said of him

“When I used to run in to bowl I would always look into the batsman’s eyes and I could see a bit of fear (of getting out). Viv was the only in whom I never saw that fear….….He is the greatest batsman that I bowled to or ever saw.” (Imran Khan makes plain what he thinks of Viv Richards)

"I don't care how many runs you score - just walk out there, chew your gum and adjust your cap with that air of majesty and the members will love it." (Chairman of Glamorgan giving Viv some instructions when signing him up for the county)

“He was the finest batsman I've ever seen live. There might be others ready to argue their case, but for me Viv was supreme with a bat in his hand and I don't know a bowler in the world who treasured another wicket more than his” (Ian Botham on his long time friend)





Viv Richards

Putting the fear of God into the opposition was the sole reserve of fast bowlers but with the arrival of Viv Richards the tables would turn. Some of the fastest and dangerous men on the cricket field would attest to that. Lillee, Thomson, Garth Le Roux, Willis, Botham, Dev, Hadlee all would feel the heat. The likes of Imran Khan would be intimidated by his presence. He could bludgeon the opposition into submission and turn the match on its head in just a session. You knew when he was coming. The outgoing batsman would already have disappeared into the pavilion, and the expectation of what was to follow filled the air. Viv kept you waiting... time to ponder. Then he appeared, sauntering, swaggering, arms windmilling slowly. He would take guard, and then, head tilted back slightly and cudding his gum, he would walk a few paces down the pitch to tap it while looking the bowler in the eye. It was calculated menace and magnificent theatre from arguably the most devastating batsman of all time. His power was awesome, he hooked devastatingly and never wore a helmet, rocking back from his front-foot base to take the ball from his eyeline in front of square. Occasionally, for no apparent reason, he would block an over in immaculate fashion, seemingly in defensive position before the ball had left the bowler's hand. Then, refreshed, off he would go again. It has been more than 20 years since Sir Viv has retired but those who saw him bat will attest that a greater batting spectacle on the cricket field they never saw. The original master blaster comes swaggering in at number 7 on CW’s top 50 cricketers of all time.

[8ankitj]

I also had him at #7

At least two of Marshall, Imran and Tendulkar will make it to top 5 then! Don't think they made the top 5 of any of the famous lists in past. This must also be the first list that puts Marshall above Richards.

[smalishah84]

yep.,....probably the first list that puts Marshall above Richards from what I can recall.....but Viv was such a giant on the field. More so than Marshall in the opinion of his peers I think

[kyear2]

Very well written Smali. What a great batsman and for me probably best after Bradman because he batted higher than Sobers, faced better bowlers than Headley and could dominate more than Sachin.

[salman85]

I like how Smali writes 2 lines on his own,and then copy pastes the rest of it from cricinfo

[Satguru]

Had King Viv at #8
Absolute joy to watch, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Has probably the sexiest voice of any cricketer too

[Ikki]

Originally Posted by kyear2

Very well written Smali. What a great batsman and for me probably best after Bradman because he batted higher than Sobers, faced better bowlers than Headley and could dominate more than Sachin.

I agree, he is IMO the second greatest specialist bat after Bradman. I think he should be higher than Tendulkar TBF,

[Prince EWS]

I was one of the six who didn't vote for him at all. Fully expected though.

[bagapath]

Originally Posted by Ikki

I agree, he is IMO the second greatest specialist bat after Bradman. I think he should be higher than Tendulkar TBF,

Yup. Among batsmen, only bradman should be ranked above Viv, I agree. Though i am willing to concede that Hobbs and Sobers were on par with him for different reasons. Everyone else - hammond, sachin, lara, gavaskar, headley, chappell, ponting - should be below him.

Also.... Marshall was a champ. But there is no way he could be above Richards.

[8ankitj]

Originally Posted by smalishah84

yep.,....probably the first list that puts Marshall above Richards from what I can recall

You are not supposed to kill the suspense

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Ikki

I agree, he is IMO the second greatest specialist bat after Bradman. I think he should be higher than Tendulkar TBF,

Agree with you. He's also my favorite batsman of all time and close to being my favorite player period.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

I was one of the six who didn't vote for him at all. Fully expected though.

I presume then that you have many pure batsmen above him. I'm curios, can you list who they are?

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Fusion

I presume then that you have many pure batsmen above him. I'm curios, can you list who they are?

On my list of 25 I had Bradman, Tendulkar, Hobbs, Headley, Lara and Miandad as pure batsmen. I also had Sobers and Hammond who I'd have picked on my list as batsmen alone even if they couldn't bowl, but who ended up a couple of places higher each due to their bowling.
EDIT: Kallis too.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

On my list of 25 I had Bradman, Tendulkar, Hobbs, Headley, Lara and Miandad as pure batsmen. I also had Sobers and Hammond who I'd have picked on my list as batsmen alone even if they couldn't bowl, but ended up a couple of places higher each due to their bowling.

Interesting. We obviously disagree on the rankings but I can concede that a good case can be made for all you listed to be above Richards except for Miandad. I don't think I've ever seen him ranked higher except by Pakistani fans. Knowing your opinion of Imran, I dare say you can be a closet Pakistani fan!

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Fusion

Interesting. We obviously disagree on the rankings but I can concede that a good case can be made for all you listed to be above Richards except for Miandad. I don't think I've ever seen him ranked higher except by Pakistani fans. Knowing your opinion of Imran, I dare say you can be a closet Pakistani fan!

Probably would've put in a few more specialist bats before Richards if the list kept going too; I had a list of 50 done originally but I've lost it now.

And Pakistan is actually the only Test country I've never been mistaken for being a fan of on CW by a new member. I need to focus more on my pro-Imran, pro-Miandad posting to confuse some poor soul and complete the set, I think.