Sir Richie Richardson

Richard Benjamin Richardson, the name itself echoed supremacy, as the then young Richie followed on the footsteps of the legendary Vivian Richards. With his mild equanimity and reticence, Richie made his way into international cricket with a golden era of West Indian cricket backing him.

From the time he announced his arrival, Richardson was soon recognized for his powerful strokes all around the park. In an era where sledging had taken over and values of the game were questioned, Richie lived up to the title of a 'gentleman's game'. He played cricket in its best spirit and on his day he would take any opposition to the cleaners. The hard square-cuts and the wide-marooned floppy hat, which he so fearlessly adorned instead of the helmet, were trademark of Richie Richardson. Richie's stylish yet authoritative hitting saw dozens of the cricketing balls disappear out of the park, as he was well renowned to be amongst the sixes always.

Richie Richardson faced flak for his lack of focus and determination in the Test format of the game. However, being a true fighter, Richie slammed all critics when he scored a valuable 69 over four hours of play in Edgbaston in 1995. But Richie gave his best in 1991 when he slammed 182 against the Australians at Georgetown. Although Richardson the batsman was lived up to the expectations, even though he had the shadow of Viv Richards and Brian Lara hanging over his shoulders, Richardson the captain was a disappointment. It was with Richardson at the helm, in 1995, that Australia would beat the West Indies in their own backyard, to be the crowned World Champions in Test cricket.