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The Tiger King
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.
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.
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