Sir Viv, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, was speaking on the 29th anniversary of his world record 56-ball century against England at the Antigua Recreational Ground.
He was on hand to see Blackwood score his maiden Test match century, an unbeaten 112, on the third day of the opening Test here yesterday.
"He reminds me sort of a guy like Collis King, a kind of batsman with that wonderful natural ability who can play the big, strong shots, but can also bat you out of a difficult situation," Sir Viv said.
NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Jermaine Blackwood’s maiden Test century coupled with an incisive new-ball burst from Jerome Taylor, temporarily raised West Indies’ hopes of carving out a match-winning position but England stormed back to end day three of the opening Test on top here Wednesday.
The 23-year-old right-hander carved out a superb, unbeaten 112 as West Indies, responding to England’s first innings of 399, were dismissed for 295, 25 minutes before tea at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Taylor then grabbed two early wickets in an excellent display of pace and swing which reduced England to 52 for three inside the first hour of the final session.
However, Gary Ballance and Joe Root restored order to the innings in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership worth 64, allowing England to snatch an overall lead of 220 heading into the fourth day.
Ballance stroked an unbeaten 44 while the in-form Joe Root was on 32, with Taylor taking two for 12 from eight testing overs.
There was good bowling on display throughout the day, firstly by West Indies' pace trio and then the collective five-man England unit led by James Anderson, who moved one wicket closer to breaking Ian Botham's Test record. Successes were hard-earned, as they should be, and Chris Jordan's brilliant low catch at slip brought Kraigg Brathwaite's scalp to leave West Indies tottering on 99 for 4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, in a familiar role, and Jermaine Blackwood, who was given a life on 21 when Ben Stokes overstepped having taken the edge, battled to the close with West Indies still 244 behind.
Playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB were dismissed for 166 with a single ball remaining and Sunrisers cruised to their target with 16 deliveries left in the contest.
Australian David Warner pummelled 57 from 27 balls, with six fours and four sixes, and posted 82 for the first wicket with India star Shikhar Dhawan, who struck exactly 50 off 42 deliveries.
With his side floundering at 34 for three in the second hour of the morning, the 33-year-old right-hander came to the rescue with a classy 143 that helped propel the visitors to 341 for five at the close at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Bell anchored two partnerships which blunted a West Indies seam attack that showed immense promise in the morning session, after Denesh Ramdin won the toss and opted to bowl first.
