Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards ('The Master Blaster')

richards is a former West Indian cricketer. Better known by his second name, Vivian or, more popularly, simply as Viv Richards, he was chosen as the greatest ODI batsman of all time by Wisden in 2002. In 2003 the list was revised and Viv was re-ranked at number 2 behind Sachin Tendulkar of India.







Richards will be remembered as one the most exciting batsman ever to have played the game. He first represented the West Indies against India in the 1974/75 series, and went on to play 121 tests, scoring 8,540 runs with 24 centuries to earn an impressive career average of
50. 24. He established a record for the most sixes at the test level (84) and became the first West Indian to have scored over 100 first class centuries (114).


                   



Additionally, Richards scored the fastest test century (56 balls) and set a record for most runs scored in a calendar year (1,760). The West Indies team won 27 of the 50 test matches under Richards's leadership. 'The Master Blaster' was voted Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1977 and was selected as one of its five Cricketers of the Century in 2000. Richards was knighted for his services to cricket on May 29, 2000, at the Antigua Recreation Grounds.

    (Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua)

Richards, also known as the “Master Blaster”, was a forceful right-hand batsman with an attacking style, a good fielder, a handy off-spin bowler and a successful captain. His impressive style of play, and relaxed but determined demeanour, made him a great crowd favourite.





The word “swagger” is frequently and aptly used to describe his batting style.[citation needed]. An inspiring figure, endowed with very keen eyesight, his batting often dominated opposing bowlers. He had a great ability to drive good-length balls from outside off-stump through midwicket, his trademark shot. He was widely known for his habits of nonchalantly chewing gum while playing, and preferring to wear a cap rather than a cricket helmet even against the fastest bowlers, regardless of the personal danger.


  (Sir Vivian Richards, cricket legend and great human being, holds the torch in Antigua, 12 June 2005 for the Caribbean World Harmony Run)