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Viv Richards 56 March 1986 Marxism Today CLOSE UP O N Viv Richards Peter Wilson Imost before the cheers umpire rejected the claims of his die away, the crowd fellow contrymen and Richards realises the enormity of was given a second chance; he A'th e task ahead. Down didn't squander it, scoring 192 in the steps trom the pavilion walks what was to be a match-winning the incoming batsman. He enters performance. the arena like a gladiator Today, of course, Richards is the preparing for his next battle. On captain of the West Indies Test both wrists are his colours - side, as well as being justifiably sweatbands in the gold, red and considered as the greatest and green of the Rastas. In his right most exciting batsman in the hand is a powerful weapon, the world. But he is not just a blade, as yet still to be wielded. cricketer who delights with his renowned Alf Gover coaching apartheid state. 'It's their His left arm is swung to ease out betting, his lightning agility in th' school in Wandsworth. But it was decision, it's their work, how can I the tension and to exorcise any field and who tantalises with his a couple of hundred miles away in criticise them?' he told me just complacency. Chewing gum, he off-breaks - he has become an the West Country that Richards before Christmas on his way back swaggers, almost arrogantly, to ambassador for his sport and his was destined to live, play cricket from the West Indies tour of the war zone. We are then, if all country. and carve out his own little niche Pakistan. the careful grooming has gone to Born in Antigua 34 years ago, in local folklore. But the man who turned down plan, witnesses to one of the most Richards, like many West Indian He was bought to Bath in 1974 £250,000 to play cricket in South glorious spectacles to be viewed boys, played his cricket on the with a hope that he would Africa is just as clear on where he on the sporting stage anywhere beaches and in the streets. But it impress the powers that be at stands himself: 'I am worried in the world: Isaac Vivian was in the more enclosed Somerset County Cricket Club. about Viv Richards going to South Alexander Richards in full flight. surroundings of the Antigua This he did with a merciless Africa, not anybody else. I would For 10 years now that has been Grammar School that he found assault on local club bowlers, and not go to that country because of the sight which has demoralised the discipline to develop his despite the cold weather and the the way they treat the people of opposing cricketers from Antigua game. loneliness of being away from his my colour.' to Auckland. The joy of seeing the Richards had a reasonably family and friends, particularly his It is believed that Richards may early wicket of Greenidge or comfortable childhood. His girlfriend and soon-to-be-wife turn to politics once his career Haynes fall has been father, a good club cricketer who Miriam. Richards became part of comes to an end. He is concerned simultaneously tempered by the represented Antigua for many the jigsaw which, when about Caribbean politics and was impending arrival of Richards. For years, was a prison wardern, his completed, was to make Somerset greatly influenced by the late 10 years he has disappointed no mother took responsibility for the most exciting first-class cricket Grenadian leader Maurice Bishop. one - although he has frustrated instilling religion and education team in England. He was impressed by the advances many bowlers and broken many into the Richards' children. At 18 The people of Antigua look on the small island had made under hearts. he left school and became a club Richards with great pride - even Bishop and was 'angered' by the It will probably come as little cricketer for Rising Sun. Off the the Queen during a recent visit to subsequent US invasion of consolation to the England field he worked as a barman and the island realised that her Grenada following 'my friend's' players currently facing the might an apprentice mechanic, but both popularity in the Caribbean assassination. of West Indian cricket in the jobs were viewed as ways to earn would not be harmed by a That, though, is for the future. Caribbean, but Viv Richards had a money rather than for their reference to the great man in a Richards is now plotting the rather inauspicious beginning to career opportunities. speech. And his refusal to goto downfall of England and will in his international career. In his first Richards' lack of academic South Africa won him back the April begin his twelfth season Test match, against India in success was a major favour of the West Indian cricket with Somerset. His less immediate Bangalore during the 1974/5 disappointment to his parents. board, which had been harmed aim is to captain the West Indies series, he scored just four and They wanted to send him to when in 1979 Richards went to to their third World Cup success in three in his two innings. Things college in New York, but for the Australia to join Kerry Packer's India and Pakistan next year. It's didn't appear to be going any young Richards there was only cricket circus. clear that Viv Richards intends to better in the next Test. Richards one way he wanted to earn a He tends to be philosophical give those who live outside the had struggled on to 12 before the living. rather than political in his West Indies and Somerset more Indian fielders made a very vocal Richards' first trip to England attitude to colleagues who take heartbreaking pleasure for a few appeal for a catch behind. The was a six-week stay at the 'blood money' offered by the years to come. .
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