Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

On Wednesday of this week one of the finest batsmen ever to grace the game will celebrate his 60th birthday, Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards.

What can you say about this man which hasn't been said already? One word for me: phenomenal!

Leading up to his 60th there have been some glowing articles in the papers, magazines and what not, none more so than Tanya Aldred's piece in The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday of last week.

I couldn't of put it better and agree with her more, about his swagger, his physique, how he terrorised bowlers, his trademark shot, always wears his cap; as Tanya said: 'his stage presence was truly extraordinary'. Just a great article.

I have lived in Somerset for nearly all my life, and cricket was always (and still is) part of my early years; learning, enjoying, playing and watching the game. Three names would always come up in conversations back then, Botham, Garner and of course Viv. When batting in the back garden, I always wanted to be Viv, just wish I had an ounce of his talent.

I have been lucky to see Viv bat on many occasion at The County Ground here in Taunton, with a packed house always guaranteed every home Sunday game. As for those cup runs in the late 70's and early 80's, well a home tie would always mean a great and sometimes intimidating atmosphere, a sense of expectation and some wonderful cricket; something I will always treasure.

I shall not bore you with his statistics, as they speak for themselves, especially a Test match average of over 50. However, there are two innings out of so many which stand out for me:

The first was the man-of-the-match performance in the 1979 Gillette Cup Final at Lord's. Viv, coming in at his customary number three slot, hit a superb 117, smashing the ball all round Lord's.

This enabled Somerset to reach a very competitive 269-8 in their allotted overs. This turned out to be 45 runs too many for Northants, as Somerset bowled them out, Joel Garner taking six wickets and Somerset had their first ever piece of silverware.

The second was when he played for the West Indies against England in a one day international at Manchester in 1984.

The West Indies batting line up looked very strong on paper, with Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Clive Lloyd in the team along with Viv, but England made a mockery of this  as they reduced the West Indians to 102-7 and then 166-9, a modest total to chase for England was on the cards. However Viv was still there at the crease.

106 runs later the West Indian number eleven, Michael Holding and Viv walked off the pitch, with Viv amassing 189no, out of the West Indian total of 272-9, at more than a run a ball, smashing the ball all over Old Trafford. That standing ovation was fully deserved.

England just never recovered from that and was all out for 168, with Joel ‘Big Bird’ garner taking three wickets for next to nothing.

That must surely have been the greatest one day innings ever.

One more story I heard about Viv was when Somerset were playing a County Championship game against Notts at Trent Bridge, but I don’t know how true this is, but hey-ho it sounds good (and somewhat believable) to me.

Somerset batted first; Brian Rose, Pete Denning and Peter Roebuck were soon back in the pavilion, thanks to the bowling of Richard Hadlee. With Somerset three down with next to nothing on the board, Ian Botham walked to the crease to join the not out batsman Viv. Clive Rice, the Notts captain wanted a more attacking field as he felt Notts could knock over Somerset cheaply. Hadlee wanted none of it, he asked Rice for a more defensive field, with some men on the boundary.

Rice stuck by his guns, had an attacking field and at the close of play both Viv and Beefy walked off Trent Bridge both with a ton apiece next to their names.

After, Rice asked Hadlee why he insisted on having a more defensive field, Hadlee replied: “Well I heard Beefy say to Viv, as he joined him at the crease, ‘I bet I can hit the ball further than you!’” So it seemed, as I am led to believe the ball went all over Nottingham! 

Good news for those who are a player / member of Over Stowey CC, the 2012 tour has been arranged. This year a trip to Sussex staying at Arundel, and will be taking on two Pickard XI’s! Again spaces are limited, so please get hold of Ashley with your deposit.

Stowey stayed in Arundel ten years ago, and had a two match tour of Sussex. Great fun, great hotel and great memories. Who can remember the Yes/No game at dinner one evening; that pour waitress. There was a bit of explaining going on after and a generous tip of course.

Now the latest Compo’s Clips is a must see, now that is what I call training, a walk around the Quantocks, followed by a pub lunch and then a stroll back to Taunton. I never knew being a professional cricket player could be so demanding.

There is a bit more to it than that, but have a look, great viewing. http://www.youtube.com/user/SomersetCricket Cricket can be a Giggle. I must get my own camcorder and do something with Over Stowey! 

Ok, it is now 10.57, time for a Thatchers Cider and raise a glass (or two) for Sir Viv.