Mali Gets Pro Contact in Australia

Antiguan cricketer Mali Richards left the Caribbean this week to take up a cricket contract with the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club in Australia.

Mali, son of West Indies chief selector Viv Richards, said he would use the Australia trip to "learn and develop" his game. "I know that I will be judged according to what my dad has accomplished and while I recognise his vast achievements, I am confident in my abilities and I am ready to accept the challenges that lay ahead," the left-hander said.

According to a report in the Antigua Sun, the 19-year-old spent the last two years at Cheltenham College in England and should have been in Australian since October. His visit was delayed because of problems he had in obtaining a visa to travel and a work permit.

His plan is to play club cricket in Australia until the middle of April when he will return home for a brief spell before leaving for England to fulfill a contract with county side, Middlesex.

Mali, who fancies his left-arm off-spin enough to consider himself as an allrounder, maintains the long term goal is to play Test cricetk for the West Indies.

The youngster, who hopes to follow in his father?s footsteps by representing the West Indies Test team, said going to Australia is a bold step in launching his cricketing career. "I have learned to appreciate what West Indies cricket means to dad. I get overly exuberant when I think of playing for the West Indies in hope of continuing the legacy that my father has started," Richards said.

"He has never pressured me to play the game, but lately I have sensed that he is paying closer attention to my game, and I am very receptive to his ideas," said the younger Richards, who was selected to play for the Leeward Islands in this year's regional Red Stripe Bowl competition.

"I am going to play in Australia and England because I have done what it takes to get there, and not just because I am the son of one of the greatest cricketers who ever played the game."

After the Australia stint, Mali heads to Middlesex to battle for a spot on the country first team. He will be competing with the likes of former England left-arm spinner, Phil Tuffnel and Pakistan all-rounder Abdur Razzaq.