Thoughts on Richie Richardson?

[Hasan123]

Was watching an interview from Richie Richardson about his spell as West Indies captain. Desmond Hayes was supposed to get the captaincy after Viv but Richardson got it. He had to deal with a lot of backlash. After his captaincy, West Indies downfall started in my opinion. I think he did a good job as captain and was a good batter.

What are your thoughts on him? Never seen him talked about on PP for some reason.

 

[Robert]

A very good batsman.

Probably retired early due to stress.

 

[Hasan123]

A very good batsman.

Probably retired early due to stress.

Yes he mentioned that in the interview. The 96 World Cup semi was a real low for West Indies. The way they collapsed was a joke.

 

[NishanKonar]

Very good batsman against the Australians just like VVS Laxman - had a fierce square drive & never batted with helmet

Took charge of captaincy when the decline started in early 90s & found things too hot to handle especially with ill discipline & especially Brian Lara's frequent intransigence which took big toll on him mentally

Should have won that 1996 WC semi against Australia - but again wud have probably lost to red hot Sri Lanka in final

 

[Hasan123]

Very good batsman against the Australians just like VVS Laxman - had a fierce square drive & never batted with helmet

Took charge of captaincy when the decline started in early 90s & found things too hot to handle especially with ill discipline & especially Brian Lara's frequent intransigence which took big toll on him mentally

Should have won that 1996 WC semi against Australia - but again wud have probably lost to red hot Sri Lanka in final

The way they lost that 96 semi was embarrassing. Wasn't Richardson fault.

He was a very good player of fast bowling!

 

[Markhor]

Richardson had chronic fatigue syndrome which held his overall record back a bit. The 1995 defeat to Australia where West Indies lost a Test series for the first time in 15 years, and the 1996 World Cup SF meltdown are two blots on his record.

But he had a superb batting record vs Australia and led with dignity in difficult circumstances.

I don't blame him for the decline in West Indies cricket - that was on the administrators who thought the production line of greats would never end and never planned for the future.

 

[NishanKonar]

The way they lost that 96 semi was embarrassing. Wasn't Richardson fault.

He was a very good player of fast bowling!

Batted too slowly in that WC semi much like Misbah in 2011 at same venue. Scored like 49 out of 83 balls on a good batting pitch where Lara was scored 45 at run a ball. Put too much pressure on the scoring rate even when they had wickets in hand. Then Chanderpaul got out going for big shot, they sent in tailenders to push the scoring rate but they got out cheaply & the West Indies panicked

Not saying entirely Richardson's fault but he played his part with his slow scoring in that defeat

 

[NishanKonar]

Richardson had chronic fatigue syndrome which held his overall record back a bit. The 1995 defeat to Australia where West Indies lost a Test series for the first time in 15 years, and the 1996 World Cup SF meltdown are two blots on his record.

But he had a superb batting record vs Australia and led with dignity in difficult circumstances.

I don't blame him for the decline in West Indies cricket - that was on the administrators who thought the production line of greats would never end and never planned for the future.

West Indies's decline was not his fault but again he never had the personality to rein in big ego guys especially Brian Lara which led to a free fall in discipline & standards & lots of dressing room trouble

West Indies needed a Frank Worrel or Imran Khan like character at that juncture

 

[Last Monetarist]

In an interview on sky with Colville a year or so ago, he seemed to imply that the 96 semi-final and the game against Kenya were fixed.

He said that there were players who were deliberately underperforming, which he reported to the board, and rather than carry on and risk being tainted by association, he chose to retire.

On a positive note, the following encapsulates his batting more than anything else:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How about this for a pull shot?<br>Richie Richardson (no surprise!) uncorks a brutal flat pull which goes for the maximum & look at the Kingston crowd react! Cricket in West Indies during the 90s was something else! <a href="https://t.co/w264LpUWDH">pic.twitter.com/w264LpUWDH</a></p>— Mainak (@desi_robelinda) <a href="https://twitter.com/desi_robelinda/status/1271039683624087552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Hasan123]

In an interview on sky with Colville a year or so ago, he seemed to imply that the 96 semi-final and the game against Kenya were fixed.

He said that there were players who were deliberately underperforming, which he reported to the board, and rather than carry on and risk being tainted by association, he chose to retire.

On a positive note, the following encapsulates his batting more than anything else:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How about this for a pull shot?<br>Richie Richardson (no surprise!) uncorks a brutal flat pull which goes for the maximum & look at the Kingston crowd react! Cricket in West Indies during the 90s was something else! <a href="https://t.co/w264LpUWDH">pic.twitter.com/w264LpUWDH</a></p>— Mainak&#55356;&#57295;&#55357;&#56573;️ (@desi_robelinda) <a href="https://twitter.com/desi_robelinda/status/1271039683624087552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is the interview I watched.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Batted too slowly in that WC semi much like Misbah in 2011 at same venue. Scored like 49 out of 83 balls on a good batting pitch where Lara was scored 45 at run a ball. Put too much pressure on the scoring rate even when they had wickets in hand. Then Chanderpaul got out going for big shot, they sent in tailenders to push the scoring rate but they got out cheaply & the West Indies panicked

Not saying entirely Richardson's fault but he played his part with his slow scoring in that defeat

The bit about run-rate is rubbish, the West Indies needed 4 an over off with 8 wickets in hand when Chanderpaul got out at the start off the 42nd over. They needed to merely knock the ball around. But the other batsmen had other ideas seemingly, which tends to back what Richardson said about players being involved in a fix.

 

[NishanKonar]

The bit about run-rate is rubbish, the West Indies needed 4 an over off with 8 wickets in hand when Chanderpaul got out at the start off the 42nd over. They needed to merely knock the ball around. But the other batsmen had other ideas seemingly, which tends to back what Richardson said about players being involved in a fix.

They needed 43 of 8 overs - which might look easy today but was pretty tricky by 1996 standards on a slow pitch. Point was way Lara was going they looked like finishing the game with 4-5 overs to spare. Richardson & Chanderpaul were bit too slow which allowed Aussies back into game followed by Chanderpaul's daft shot

Even worse was in last over. WI needed 11 to win with Richardson on strike. Richardson hit Fleming for four in first ball but next ball he inexplicably took a single exposing Courtney Walsh on strike. Guess what. Fleming got Walsh first ball. Very poor strategy from Ritchie knowing Walsh's batting reputation. He should have kept strike & tried to score the runs himself

 

[Last Monetarist]

They needed 43 of 8 overs - which might look easy today but was pretty tricky by 1996 standards on a slow pitch. Point was way Lara was going they looked like finishing the game with 4-5 overs to spare. Richardson & Chanderpaul were bit too slow which allowed Aussies back into game followed by Chanderpaul's daft shot

Even worse was in last over. WI needed 11 to win with Richardson on strike. Richardson hit Fleming for four in first ball but next ball he inexplicably took a single exposing Courtney Walsh on strike. Guess what. Fleming got Walsh first ball. Very poor strategy from Ritchie knowing Walsh's batting reputation. He should have kept strike & tried to score the runs himself

Lara got out in the 23rd over, the ball goes soft quickly in the sub-continent so you can't expect them to keep batting at the same rate.

They needed 43 off 52 balls to be exact, the run-rate was not an issue till the last 3-4 overs when they had started to lose wickets in a heap.

However, I fully agree that Richardson's strategy in the last over was abysmal. His head had probably gone seeing how his partners had conspired to throw away the match.

 

[Last Monetarist]

However, I fully agree that Richardson's strategy in the last over was abysmal. His head had probably gone seeing how his partners had conspired to throw away the match.

Update: having looked it up on youtube, they needed 10 off the last over (in reality 9 as a tie would have gotten them through as they had beaten Australia in the group stages) with two wickets in hand.

Richardson hit the first ball for four and tried a quick single off the second, trusting Ambrose to make his ground but unfortunately he was run out. Walsh then had to come out and face Fleming.

It was still a poor call by Richardson as he should have backed himself to score 5 off 4 balls.

 

[NishanKonar]

Update: having looked it up on youtube, they needed 10 off the last over (in reality 9 as a tie would have gotten them through as they had beaten Australia in the group stages) with two wickets in hand.

Richardson hit the first ball for four and tried a quick single off the second, trusting Ambrose to make his ground but unfortunately he was run out. Walsh then had to come out and face Fleming.

It was still a poor call by Richardson as he should have backed himself to score 5 off 4 balls.

Yes thats what he should not have taken single that ball & left it to Ambrose & Walsh

But I saw that match on tv & always felt they batted too slowly in middle overs. 49 out of 83 was too slow in middle overs even by 1996 standards - infact he hit a few boundaries in final overs , else it was even worse.

 

[Bhaijaan]

1996 world cup was the greatest and the most weirdest.

Especially the semi finals.

Bowling sides had their opponent on the mat early up but still post.

Srinath took 2 in a row against Sri Lanka in the first over of the semi final.

Australia were 8/3, 15/4 in their semi vs West Indies

I'm not sure when will a world cup ever surpass the phenomena that was the 1996 world cup.

The greatest exhibition of cricketing talent ever, and by far

 

[Saj]

What a batsman.

One of the best pullers and cutters I have ever seen.

Fantastic player of pace bowling.

 

[gazza619]

He was an amazing batsman. With that hat on, he looked very brave. Perhaps one of the very few batsmen who i felt Wasim/Waqar struggled to get out even when the ball was reversing.

 

[mobins]

What a batsman.

One of the best pullers and cutters I have ever seen.

Fantastic player of pace bowling.

i have never seen anyone pull/hook wasim and waqar at their peak better than Richardson.I saw the 1992-93 Pak tour to the windies on TV.I wonder if there are any test highlights available anywhere.

 

[Saj]

i have never seen anyone pull/hook wasim and waqar at their peak better than Richardson.I saw the 1992-93 Pak tour to the windies on TV.I wonder if there are any test highlights available anywhere.

I saw him live in Sharjah 1991 versus Pakistan. He was playing the 2 Ws with such ease. Great batsman.

 

[burger_uno]

always liked to watch him bat. on his day, he could dominate any attack. I can also recall him giving his wicket away on a number of occasions when he was well set. also seemed vulnerable against spin sometimes.

like richardson, there were a number of w.i. batsmen from that era who did not live to their full potential. Carl Hooper for one. such a stylish rhb who never seemed flustered against any bowling but more often than not, gave it away. I would also include dujon in this category - another classical rhb and the best wicket keeper batsman of his time. showed a lot of early promise but did not deliver consistently.

for what its worth, most leading w.i. batsman from that era have a poor record against pak. even lara, who came later, failed miserably in first full tour of pak with waqar yorker making him land on his backside once.

 

[umarf76]

All of us have a certain test series stuck in their minds which remind them of their teenage years. For me it was the 1992/93 series vs. the west indies. Richie Richardson was phenomenal in that series and hammered Wasim and Waqar. In one innings he hit Ataur Rehman flat onto the stands - ball hit the top of stand and bounced back close to the pitch .

They say that Richards had a better eye than Richardson. I saw a lot of Richards as well. I cannot imagine anyone pulled better in front of square than Richardson. He was fearless and tore the bowling apart. It was the bat speed. Just imagine a bit faster than Imran Nazir.

During the period of 1985 to 1990 there was no more flamboyant batsman with lightening reflexes than Richardson.

I saw him take some unbelievable slips catches. Then he hurt his hands and started standing at mid off mid on.

The end of his career was strange. The seemingly fearless puller became a lot more timid. His pace of the innings changed and even wore a helmet. Had a deal with a difficult Lara as well. Captaincy and pressure took a toll on him. Just explains that we are all human and will eventually crack to pressure.

 

[Markhor]

All of us have a certain test series stuck in their minds which remind them of their teenage years. For me it was the 1992/93 series vs. the west indies. Richie Richardson was phenomenal in that series and hammered Wasim and Waqar. In one innings he hit Ataur Rehman flat onto the stands - ball hit the top of stand and bounced back close to the pitch .

They say that Richards had a better eye than Richardson. I saw a lot of Richards as well. I cannot imagine anyone pulled better in front of square than Richardson. He was fearless and tore the bowling apart. It was the bat speed. Just imagine a bit faster than Imran Nazir.

During the period of 1985 to 1990 there was no more flamboyant batsman with lightening reflexes than Richardson.

I saw him take some unbelievable slips catches. Then he hurt his hands and started standing at mid off mid on.

The end of his career was strange. The seemingly fearless puller became a lot more timid. His pace of the innings changed and even wore a helmet. Had a deal with a difficult Lara as well. Captaincy and pressure took a toll on him. Just explains that we are all human and will eventually crack to pressure.

He was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome around 1994 which partly explains that later decline. He missed a few series that year with Walsh stepping in as captain. But yeah that's a good summary, it was sad to see him bow out like that.

 

[Hasan123]

Today is his birthday!

 

[Justcrazy]

He was more talented than the stats, something like Carl Hooper .

 

[Nadeemp]

He was more talented than the stats, something like Carl Hooper .

Was better than the stats. Great player of fast bowling. Very underrated.

 

[Justcrazy]

Was better than the stats. Great player of fast bowling. Very underrated.

Yes , but have batted more sensibly.

44 average from 146 Test Innings is just a shade less than what we would want. But he has 16 Hundreds as well, considering the Era it a pretty good record.

In OD also he averages around 33. 5 in 217 innings.

Probably being in middle order he got less opportunities, 5 hundred and 44 fifties.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

He had fierce cut and pull shot, no wonder he did well against Australia.
Used to wear the white hat and him and Hooper would just brutally bat out teams touring West Indies.
One of my early memories of ODI cricket was 1996 cricket world cup, and him and Lara batting in Semi final, and then the collapse.
To think of it, now it looked very dodgy the way few players got out. Either they panicked, or Richardson was right.

 

[Robert]

What a batsman.

One of the best pullers and cutters I have ever seen.

Fantastic player of pace bowling.

We used to call him “Richards’ Son”.

 

[FearlessRoar]

ICC congratulates Richardson on 50-Test Landmark

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated Richie Richardson for officiating in 50 Men’s Test matches as a Match Referee.

Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Panel of Elite Match Referees, reached the landmark when he took the field in the first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan on Monday.

The 62-year-old former West Indies captain has also officiated in 99 Men’s ODIs, 99 Men’s T20Is, eight Women’s ODIs and 15 Women’s T20Is since making his international debut in February 2016.

Sean Easey, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees: “Congratulations are offered for reaching this significant milestone.

“Building on his extensive experience from being a player and Team Manager, Richie has worked hard to establish himself as a Match Referee. That hard work is clearly paying off.”

“He conducts himself with composure, integrity, and respect, and in return he is highly respected by the game’s participants.

“On behalf of the ICC, I wish Richie best wishes for his 50th Test match as a referee.”

Richie Richardson: “It is an honour to be officiating in my 50th Men’s Test match. I have enjoyed doing this job in different parts of the world and in all three formats of the game.

“I thank the International Cricket Council, Cricket West Indies and all my colleagues for their support over the years. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends whose encouragement has been invaluable.”

Richardson scored 5,944 runs in 86 Test matches and 6,248 runs in 224 One Day Internationals during an impressive international career from 1983 to 1996. He was inducted into the Emirates ICC Panel of Elite Match Referees in 2016.

 

[sweep_shot]

Never got to see him live.

Congratulations to Richie for reaching 50 Tests as a referee.