Happy Birthday: The King Passes 50!
Today, we join in celebrating the 50th birthday of Sir Vivian
Richards, the greatest batsman of all time. Sir Viv, who
reached the milestone while helping to fix the outdated coaching
manual at a workshop in Trinidad, insists he still has a lot to
offer to West Indies cricket.
As we continue to enjoy everything that Sir Viv has given us,
CaribbeanCricket.com offers a sampling of what others are
saying about him today, including an interview from the BBC.
Sir Viv (VR): It feels pretty good. I am very thankful to God for
giving me some good health, strength and the things to carry on, to
be who I am.
I am just extremely happy that I have reached that particular
milestone. As a kid, I never expected that I would have lived and
enjoyed such things as I have.
CC: Over 8,000 Test runs, 121 Test matches. Maybe you can run
through some of your own highlights of your career.
VR: I do not think that I would touch on what I have done
personally, because maybe I could spend all day with you.
What I can say is that the thing which sits out in my mind more
than anything else is when we won that first World Cup in 1975.
Then we went on to repeat that in 1979.
I say that because we are from the Caribbean region and there are
times that we hear that we all think differently, sometimes even
criticise each other on occasions.
But when we were able to lift that World Cup, on both occasions, I
could imagine that the Caribbean came together then.
CC: Are you, as the only West Indies cricket Test captain never
to have lost a Test series, embarrassed at what you see from the
senior West Indies cricket team these days?
VR: It was nice that that happened. But there were many people who
worked very hard for that success. That was not done by Viv
Richards alone. It was done by many, with Viv Richards in charge as
captain.
It was nice to have such people as the late Malcolm Marshall who
were pretty instrumental in that success, with the knowledge being
passed on. It was great to be with individuals who wanted to play
and play well. It made the captain's job easy.
CC: How would you go about changing the fortunes of West Indies
cricket, to make them winners again?
VR: We've got a discussion and forum this week about taking West
Indies cricket forward. It is evident that we are not fully sure
who is in control. This has been a huge problem.
We need to not pass the buck, but let individuals know what their
roles are in the team.
If you are there for management, then manage. If there is a coach,
then he must coach. I just believe that sometimes we can have too
many chefs in the kitchen.
CC: What about passion? There are those who suggest that match
fees take more of an important position than wanting to play for
the West Indies.
VR: Anyone who is going to want to put the cart before the horse
would probably not have much movement.
When we first started, it was just the fact and pride of wearing
that maroon cap and blazer. All of the older players wanted to
simply achieve those goals.
To me, that was of vital importance. If you can deliver the goods
while dressed in that gear, then whatever monetary gains you
achieve are due to you - but at least you will have done the
crawling stage before you can walk.
CC: Last week, Brian Lara was selected as Sportsman of the Year
for Trinidad & Tobago. In his acceptance speech, he suggested
that he wanted to try to emulate you, to try to go pass you and
your records for West Indies cricket...
VR: Yes, definitely, and why not? I believe that all records are
there to be broken. I would be quite happy if Brian Lara broke my
records. I would not have anything nasty to say.
It would have been done by a great individual and I think that one
has to have been in that status of greatness to accomplish such
things.
CC: Sir Viv. Congratulations on being 50. You still look as if
you should be playing, but of course without any hair on your
head.
VR: Thank you very much. I hope that I can grow some again!
* EDITOR'S NOTE: This interview was first published by
BBC Sports Online.
MORE COVERAGE FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
* Viv
Richards: Antigua's pride
* The
King on 50! (Tony Cozier tribute)
* Viv's Century at
Sabina Park 1989 (RealPlayer audio from CricketVideo.com)
* Stoop to Conquer:
Viv Endorses Aussie Coaches
* SportRait
of The Master Blaster (RealPlayer video).