Remembering one finest ever innings, on this day
On this day, 34 years ago, Sir Vivian Richards set the record for the fastest test century ever in Antigua. It was scored off just 56 balls and this record was held for 30 years.
Every cricket fan knew who is Vivian Richards. A most powerful, hard hitting legendary batsman. He thrashes the ball hard. On those days, the boundary were too long and players find it so hard to hit a six whereas this man smash sixes easily and one of the few who set the tone for world level classical cricket and also one of the few to represent West Indies's greatness in cricket. Also, after him, many cricketers of West Indies cricket side started playing attacking cricket. Also, the most fearless ever, who didn't used to wear helmets during a period in cricket, where there wasn't any restrictions on number of bouncers and was only red ball cricket.
During 1985-86 cricket season, England toured West Indies for five match test series tour. in the five match series, Windies have aldready won 4 matches and this is the last match of the series being played at the home ground of Sir Viv Richards, Antigua. England won the toss and elected to field first. West Indies got all out for 474 in their first innings, despite a poor start. England, in their first innings, were bowled out for 310 runs and West Indies had a good lead of 164 runs. West Indies, in their second innings, played attacking cricket, as they wanted to set up high score target for England and bowl out them for low runs.
This strategy was even more perfectly executed when Sir Vivian Richards arrived in to bat, immediately after the fall of the first wicket. He promoted himself up the order to attack bowlers. On that day, Antigua witnessed pure carnage of Viv Richards. Greatest bowlers of England Sir Ian Botham, John Emburey were being targeted and smashed. England's then captain, David Gower set 3 fielders covering Long off and deep extra cover. but, however all plans went in vain. We may have heard stories that, from night to till morning players would be playing test cricket slowly, and runs flow off slowly. But, that day, he showed that we can also play quickly in test cricket. Smashed 7 fours and sixes with one six were hit in One handed !! He hit boundaries all parts of the ground, scoring his hundred with a six and then he declared at 246/2, giving a target of 411 runs for England. Eventually, England failed to score and got bowled out for mere 170 runs. Man of the match award was presented to Sir Viv Richards.
This record lasted for 30 years !!. It was broken by Brendon McCullum, New Zealand batsman in 2016, with scoring of just 54 balls against Australia. ALso, the strategy of attacking in the 2nd Innings was right now adapted by each and every test cricket nation, especially teams like India, England and Australia and this attacking intent created a much difference over the past three and a half decades. Also, this paved way for attacking cricket in all formats and every team maintains a hard hitter in their lineup as of now.
Every cricket fan knew who is Vivian Richards. A most powerful, hard hitting legendary batsman. He thrashes the ball hard. On those days, the boundary were too long and players find it so hard to hit a six whereas this man smash sixes easily and one of the few who set the tone for world level classical cricket and also one of the few to represent West Indies's greatness in cricket. Also, after him, many cricketers of West Indies cricket side started playing attacking cricket. Also, the most fearless ever, who didn't used to wear helmets during a period in cricket, where there wasn't any restrictions on number of bouncers and was only red ball cricket.During 1985-86 cricket season, England toured West Indies for five match test series tour. in the five match series, Windies have aldready won 4 matches and this is the last match of the series being played at the home ground of Sir Viv Richards, Antigua. England won the toss and elected to field first. West Indies got all out for 474 in their first innings, despite a poor start. England, in their first innings, were bowled out for 310 runs and West Indies had a good lead of 164 runs. West Indies, in their second innings, played attacking cricket, as they wanted to set up high score target for England and bowl out them for low runs.
This strategy was even more perfectly executed when Sir Vivian Richards arrived in to bat, immediately after the fall of the first wicket. He promoted himself up the order to attack bowlers. On that day, Antigua witnessed pure carnage of Viv Richards. Greatest bowlers of England Sir Ian Botham, John Emburey were being targeted and smashed. England's then captain, David Gower set 3 fielders covering Long off and deep extra cover. but, however all plans went in vain. We may have heard stories that, from night to till morning players would be playing test cricket slowly, and runs flow off slowly. But, that day, he showed that we can also play quickly in test cricket. Smashed 7 fours and sixes with one six were hit in One handed !! He hit boundaries all parts of the ground, scoring his hundred with a six and then he declared at 246/2, giving a target of 411 runs for England. Eventually, England failed to score and got bowled out for mere 170 runs. Man of the match award was presented to Sir Viv Richards.This record lasted for 30 years !!. It was broken by Brendon McCullum, New Zealand batsman in 2016, with scoring of just 54 balls against Australia. ALso, the strategy of attacking in the 2nd Innings was right now adapted by each and every test cricket nation, especially teams like India, England and Australia and this attacking intent created a much difference over the past three and a half decades. Also, this paved way for attacking cricket in all formats and every team maintains a hard hitter in their lineup as of now.
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