Cricket

Vivian Richards is the best batsman I have seen against anything and everything – Michael Holding

 

Former West Indies legendary fast bowler Michale Holding has rated his ex-teammate Sir Vivian Richards as the best batsman he has ever seen against anything and everything. Richards had a different aura when he used to walk out to bat and no one came close to him. The right-hander, who was instrumental in revolutionising the batting, was loaded with confidence.

 

That confidence which Richards had in his skills helped him in taking his game to new heights. He will take on the deadliest bowlers head on and would look them in the eye to say, ‘I am here for the battle’.

 

Richards had a ‘never throw in the towel’ kind of attitude which separated him from the rest. The Antigua born was known to take the bull by its horns. Richards also hated wearing helmets even though he had to face some deadly bowlers like Jeff Thompson, Dennis Lillee in his career.

 

It was not like Richards was hardly hit on the body, he was many times. But he will never bat an eyelid. He was a competitor, a fighter, who will do anything to take his team over the line.

 

“Viv is the best batsman I have seen against anything and everything,” said Holding in a podcast discussion with Stuart Broad and Shaun Pollock for Sky Sports.

 

Holding added that Richards was never intimidated by anyone when he was playing against the opposition’s best and that too in alienate conditions.

 

“He never looked intimidated. Richard Hadlee in New Zealand, Dennis Lillee in Australia, Abdul Qadir in Pakistan, Bishan Bedi in India. Ian Botham in England. He got runs against anybody and everybody,” holding said.

The legendary batsman, who sent a shiver down the spine of the opposition’s bowlers, scored 8540 runs in 121 Test matches at an impressive average of 50.2. Richards scored his runs at a strike rate of 90.2 in ODI format when a strike rate of around 65-70 was considered to be good. The right-hander scored 6721 runs in 189 ODI matches at an average of 47.2.

 

Richards had great confidence in his abilities and had a special talent under his belt. He was always ready for a battle and gave sleepless nights to the world-class batsmen during his heydays.

 

Written by: Gautam Chauhan
Related Post
Share
Published by
Website Admin

Recent Posts

Pro Kabaddi League 2024: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Dabang Delhi K.C. – Match Preview

The inaugural champions Jaipur Pink Panthers will take the mat against Dabang Delhi K.C. in… Read More

November 21, 2024

Robert Lewandowski recalls playing under ‘difficult’ Pep Guardiola; explains how ex-Barcelona coach changed

Barcelona’s striker Robert Lewandowski recalled how Pep Guardiola was a difficult coach to play under… Read More

November 21, 2024

Ayush Chikkara aspires to be a ‘regular’ in Mumbai City FC’s team, says doesn’t want to take any external pressure

Mumbai City FC forward Ayush Chikkara wants to find a regular place in Petr Kratky’s… Read More

November 21, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz lauds Rafael Nadal’s legacy after retirement

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz hailed Rafael Nadal’s legacy after the veteran Spaniard retired from the… Read More

November 21, 2024

Jamshedpur FC’s defender Ashutosh Mehta credits ‘100% professional’ Khalid Jamil for having a big impact in his life

Jamshedpur FC full-back Ashutosh Mehta has given credit to head coach Khalid Jamil for playing… Read More

November 21, 2024

Lakers star LeBron James says he’s taking a break from social media

Los Angeles Lakers’s superstar LeBron James has revealed he is taking a break from social… Read More

November 21, 2024