Richards scored more than 15,000 runs in 308 matches for West Indies, finishing his international career with 35 centuries and an average of more than 47 in both Test and ODI cricket.

The legendary Antiguan also scored 140 centuries in a remarkable domestic career that saw him make over 1,000 appearances in first-class and List A cricket.

Holding, one of the game’s great fast bowlers, played alongside Sir Viv Richards for over a decade and believes he is unsurpassed as a batsman.

'Viv is the best batsman I have seen against anything and everything,’ Holding told Sky Sports.

‘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.

Read more at Metro UK

 

 

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Intimidated
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In reply to Barry

Great stuff

The best I've seen to start after 1970. Didn't see the pre 1970 bats in their prime so I leff dem out. First batsman I saw who could take good deliveries and flog dem as if he just get a long hop or full toss and he did this repeatedly. Pre-helmet bats will always get an extra check from me because I KNOW they were brave. Post helmet bats never had to deal with the psychological pressure of batting without the helmet. Not their fault and the good would most likely be good under pre-helmet conditions BUT we will never know.

Imran on Viv

Saw Tony Gray nearly lick him down when I visited these islands.... best my eye...

In reply to Barry

Nearly...mannn I see great batsmen get lick down...not nearly

I did not realize how much and fruitful he was in our First-class cricket. "If Mikey had a hard time getting him out, he good"

In reply to Oilah

Lillee buss a lash on he abusive arse, brother- you watch?
Gray drop him on he big bottom at QPO

In reply to Barry

Every batsman who has played at the highest level for as long as Viv got touched up a few times. Viv never retired hurt and he put licks on the best in dem prime. Like I said great and very good batsmen get lick down and had to leave the field...not Viv. You may not like Viv but even a blind man could see the genius of Viv.

In reply to Oilah

Kill the bitch
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In reply to Oilah

Touch up? Lick up he jaw so he can’t abuse his wife....

I am not sure if I ever saw anybody do anything better than Viv Richards bat

In reply to methodic

I am not sure either

In a radio interview today, Richie Richardson said that of all the batsmen he bowled to in the nets, that Gordon Greenidge was the only one he couldnt get the better of. He spoke very highly of Greenidge. He was asked about a hook he played off Michael Holding in Montserrat in 1983. Holding actually clapped as the ball sailed out the ground. Many believe that it was batting against Jamaica that propelled him in the WI team.

In reply to Benjie

My memory was that Richie put a ton in a strong Bim attack and that is what propelled him into the test team. Not 100 % sure but that is my memory

In reply to Benjie

Ritchie ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ was not a bowler

In reply to Oilah

Ritchie was a cancer along with Tim hector and vere bird

In reply to Oilah

I think that you are right. In the early to mid eighties a century against a Barbados bowling attack was sufficient to get you on the selectors short list. I think that Richie did make a ton against Barbados as well.

In reply to Oilah

I listened to some of that innings on the radio and I knew that Richie was going to be selected.

Ritchie hated Viv

Viv was a great..among the best who played the game...and the best that Mickey saw. Headline is misleading.

Did Mickey saw Sobers? Ian Chappell say Sobers is the best he saw