Test stars from , such as and Curtley Ambrose, have followed. , who played with Richards for Somerset during the English summer, remarked that Richards “is not a man to compromise nor a man who easily suppresses rage at insults”. Richards’ biographer, Trevor McDonald, has added that he combines “humility and seriousness with a burning pride”. In 1976 , thewhite South African-born of hen comparisons are made , taunted the West Indian about which is the greatest tourists with the comment that “We W Test side of all time will make the grovel”. the shortlist invariably comes down Richards responded with 232 in the Morning Herald. to Warwick Armstrong’s 1931 First Test, 291 in the Fifth, and a

Australians, ’s 1948 series aggregate of 829 at an average Photo: Australians and ’s 1980s of 118.42. Wisden considered the their moral and political objections West Indies. Among the crucial performance “phenomenal”. to the South African regime. Sadly it characteristics of this troika is the As Roebuck also wrote, is only a handful: of the 300 English inclusion of one super batsman — Richards has a “towering hatred of professionals, there might be six who and for Clive Lloyd that player was dishonesty, disloyalty and racial would be prepared to make similar Vivian Richards. slurs”. No doubt Greig had cause to statements. regret his ill-considered remark. Vivian Richards is a player Isaac Vivian Alexander Vivian Richards has been motivated by great challenges. One Richards made his Test debut in guarded about his own political of his aims on the recent tour of 1974-75 and has remained a opinions, although his friendship was to become the first permanent fixture in the West Indies and admiration for the late Maurice West Indian to achieve the milestone eleven since. In those fourteen years Bishop of Grenada is on the public of a of centuries — this he he has amassed more than 7,500 Test record. However, it is on the South attained in Sydney in the match runs at an average of 50. African issue that Richards against . Richards is in the most exalted of has maintained strong opinions. In The captaincy of the West Indies company. 1982 when a group of English side was another important goal and Perhaps Richards’ most professionals toured he since that appointment Richards has astonishing feat was his Test century stated: been keen to inflict series defeats on hit from 56 balls against England on England and Australia. Now those his home ground of St. John’s, If 1 went to South Africa my people milestones have also been achieved. would think of me as nothing. I’d be told Antigua, in April 1986. It is hard to It is hard to imagine what I’d sold my birthright. I’d be haunted and imagine that any player will ever remains for Vivian Richards in Test score a quicker Test hundred. Not hassled by my own people — and by my own mind. Man, I’d be a goner. cricket. He is the captain of the best surprisingly, Vivian Richards has side in the world; perhaps he intends been deified in Antigua. Richards refuses to talk to the to make his eleven as formidable as Antigua is an island in the agents of white South African cricket the sides in which he played under Leewards with a population of who imagine they can buy any Clive Lloyd. around 70,000. It was not until the international cricketer. As Richards Michael Manley, the recently 1970s, when Richards and Andy says, it would be “immoral” to go to elected socialist Prime Minister of Roberts emerged, that an Antiguan South Africa; he will not accept , in his History of West represented the West Indies at “blood money”. Indies Cricket, argued that cricket. Roberts proved to be a great Clive Lloyd honed the ever-present fast bowler, but it was Richards’ Professional cricketers, like many of their administrators, have talents of Caribbean cricketers into success that galvanised the small an all-conquering force through a island population. Lester Bird, at wanted to bury their heads in the sand and separate sport and politics. new and determined profession­ the time Deputy Prime Minister of alism. Vivian Richards inherited that Antigua, commented: This makes them easy prey for South African “blood money”. In fact the side from Lloyd, but now has a The common cause, that single purpose, recent debates within the pivotal part to play as captain in a became Viv Richards’ success on the international cricket communities new period for West Indian cricket.- international cricket stage ... he have been devoid of any principled It is not likely that we will have personified what we perceived ourselves and moral stand on . the pleasure of seeing “the great to be: young, dynamic and talented but man” bat again in in yet unrecognised in the world. To his credit, Vivian Richards is Australia. Sadly, the age of Vivian one of the handful of professional Richards is drawing to a close. In his wake other young cricketers who have openly stated Ric Sissons