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to go and serve apatheid in South Africa, and Viv Richards turned it down without hesitation> he could have written his own figure on that cheque, and the racist south Africans would have welcomed him. He was the biggest prize for them, and he turned them down forthright. You seldom hear any credit given to him for that, but the constant reference to this "Sir" thing. Is the "Sir" really the issue or something else? The fact that he is never credited for rejecting apartheid is sending a different signal. Put a blank cheque in front of any of the nice boys today, under similar conditions, and they will not turn it down; I can bet that.

There are some folks in history that have represented us well, and Vivian Richards is one of them. The misery that we face today in cricket, my only option is to go back to the old days to find some solace. By the way. imagine, Sir Carl is spoken in glowing terms for his unproductive elegance, while Sir Viv is chided arrogant and successful destruction of colonialism.

In reply to Besar

Ok let me edumacate you bro.

I heard the allegory,
'Even if you win a race in the special olympics, you are still retarded'.
BTW: - This is in no way meant to attack those with special needs.

Sir Viv was and is one of the greatest to ever grace a cricket field.
However, this does not take away from his faults.
I am proud of him refusing the cheque to RSA back then.
BTW: although not offered a blank cheque, many other were approached and refused.
I know for a fact the Marshall and Haynes were approached personally in Ozz.

Richards was a bully (fact).
This was acceptable back then and the norm.
Richards orchestrated the appointment of Richardson as cappo over the incumbent Haynes (fact)
Richards kept Lara and Best out of Windies team for Arthurton etc (Fact)
Richards picked many bits and pieces players from his territories (fact)

Many great performers get their share of attacks from fans,
as no one is prefect, and or exempted from attacks from critics.
Richards gets his accolades for his cricketing performance.
So don't come here crying over spilled milk.

In reply to TanteMerle

Sometimes I read so many inaccuracies on this forum, so many opinions bereft of simple analysis, and I marvel. Call people dumb, and place fact in bracket, and feel so empowered. It is sad. Sometimes when I read these things, I wonder if these folks lived during those times, or just hearsay. In some cases, I even start doubting my own memory.

In reply to TanteMerle
Consider the following. Carlisle Best made his FC debut in 1979/80 season, and his test debut a full 6 years later in 1986. By 1985/86, Keith Atherthon made his FC debut and was the next WI pick by all who followed. He made his test debut 1988, 9 years after Best made his first class debit and 2 to 3 years after Best made his test debut. Best was an open bat, Atherton a down the order batsman. Where did Richard keep out Best to play Atherthon? Best played his last test in 1990, and if by then he can't establish himself, who would you choose if you must choose one between him and Atherthon?

In reply to TanteMerle

Atherton made his test debut in 1988 after some productive years of regional cricket. Lara made his first class debut in 1987/88, just around the time Atherthon made his test debut. Lara made his test debut in 1990, 2 years after his first class season. At one point, a lot of people wanted to see Lara rushed into the team, but Atherthon deserved his run. It was no favour.

The WICB at the time clearly stated that they chose Richardson over Haynes, because it was a long term investment, just like Hayley Matthew's today over Deadra Dottin. That made sense, then, Hailey's pick today make sense too.
Richard's was never perfect, like most of us, but he is seldom lauded for his success on this forum. Instead, there is a deliberate under current to demonize him.