Quote:For many who grew up in the Caribbean during the 70s and 80s, totally taken by the great game and the great team, there was nobody like the broad-shouldered Antiguan. Nobody had ever strode onto the scene and played with such audacity and such aplomb. We doted on his every stroke.
I read somewhere once that it was worth the price of admission to see Frank Worrell walk to the middle. I don't know if the same could be said of Richards, but his measured walk to the middle, often accompanied by rapturous cheers, was enough to ruffle many a bowler.
Chewing gum was an ever-present part of the West Indian's armour; a helmet wasn't. Yet, no matter the ferocity of the bowler he faced it was the bowler who was more likely to be daunted, not Richards. His mannerisms in the middle suggested he was the main attraction and everyone else there were playing supporting roles.
I have seen Sir Viv Richards walk out to bat many time, especially during the 1983 World Cup final. His manner was totally amazing; full of confidence and swagger. And he had some guts to go out to bat without a helmet on, although arguably the best fast bowlers of that time bowled from his own team
Yes, would walk out with a swagger and great display of confidence. He was able to be this way because he was always the main attraction when he went to bat, and it seemed that the bowlers feared him instead of him fearing them.
can someone post "Smoking Joe" Richards stats broken down by country. I have a feeling if you take out his scores against England (Tony Craig and company) his numbers will have "different look"
[quote author=thedeatheater1410 link=topic=103150.msg682837#msg682837 date=1457372442]
I have seen Sir Viv Richards walk out to bat many time, especially [size=10pt]during the 1983 World Cup final.[/size]
[/quote]
That was the beginning of the end for team West Indies
I still remember the Pan African shot as Kapil Dev ran around and held on comfortably
why people keep mentioning Viv without a helmet? Sobers and Kanhai played without helmets and faced the same level of hostility from pace bowlers...and in some cases the same bowlers...ala Lillee and Thompson! I don't recall either of them played with helmets. Freddo and Kalli busted Ozzie bowlers ass...without helmets! :-[
