| Vivian Richards Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 83 kg |
| Date of Birth | March 7, 1952 |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Spouse | Miriam Richards |
Vivian Richards is an Antiguan Barbudan commentator, former cricketer, cricket mentor, and TV personality. He is best known for playing for West Indies (1974–1991) internationally and at Test levels. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, also known as the “Bible of Cricket,” declared Vivian the greatest ODI batsman of all time in its annual publication in December 2002. He was also declared the 3rd greatest Test batsman after Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar in the same release of the book.
Born Name
Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards
Nick Name
Viv, Master Blaster
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
Nationality
Education
He attended St. John’s Boys Primary School in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
He then received a scholarship to attend Antigua Grammar Secondary School in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Vivian dropped out of school at the age of 18.
Occupation
Former Cricketer, Cricket Mentor, TV Personality, Commentator
Family
- Father – Malcolm Richards (Former Cricketer, Assistant Governor of the prison)
- Mother – Gretel Richards (Passed away in 2016)
- Siblings – Mervyn Richards (Brother) (Cricketer, Footballer), Donald Richards (Brother) (Cricketer). He also has another brother.
- Others – Liam James Botham (Godson) (Former Cricketer, Rugby Footballer)
Manager
Vivian Richards is represented by The K Faktor (Talent Agent) in Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Batting
Right-Handed
Bowling
Right-Arm Medium/Slow/Off-Break
Role
Batsman
Build
Average
Height
5 ft 10 in or 178 cm
Weight
83 kg or 183 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Vivian Richards has dated –
- Neena Gupta – In the 1980s, Vivian briefly dated the Indian actress, Neena Gupta. They have a daughter together named Masaba Gupta (b. November 2, 1988) who became a well-known fashion designer and aspiring tennis player.
- Miriam Richards – Vivian is married to Miriam Richards. They have 2 kids together, an older daughter Matara Richards who worked at an Antigua and Barbuda consulate in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and 2 years younger son Mali Alexander Richards, who later played first-class cricket, and was a part-owner of an Antiguan art gallery. Vivian also has 2 grandchildren.
Race / Ethnicity
Black
Hair Color
Bald
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Tall height
- Droopy nose
- Prominent cheekbones
Brand Endorsements
Vivian Richards has endorsed brands such as Slazenger Cricket Bat (1987).
Religion
Christianity
Vivian Richards Favorite Things
- Cricketer – Virat Kohli
- World Cup Moment – West Indies Winning 1975 Cricket World Cup
- Places To Eat – Food Shacks, Le Bistro French Restaurant in Antigua
- Food From Food Shacks – Pepperpot, Bull Foot Soup, Steamed Fish, Stewed Fish, Goat Water
- Food – Black Pineapple, Lobster
- Cuisine – Caribbean
- Beaches In Antigua – Fort James, Rendezvous
Source – YouTube, India Today, The Guardian
Vivian Richards Facts
- His parents were very religious and he described his childhood as wonderful. However, he found going to the church very boring. It wasn’t until later in life that he realized what was said on the pulpit helped him develop important core values.
- Vivian sang in the church choir as a kid and enjoyed it immensely.
- As kids, he and his brothers would play cricket at a local cricket club 6 days a week except on Sundays, which his parents felt was a sacred day.
- Vivian described his dad as the enforcer and his mom as the pacifier.
- At the age of 19, after he dropped out of school, Vivan moved to England, United Kingdom. The 1st thing he noticed was how “chilly” it was compared to the warm climate of Antigua and Barbuda.
- Between 1984 and 1991, while he was a captain of the West Indies cricket team, Vivian never lost a Test series.
- In 1994, for his services to cricket, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and awarded the right to carry the title of “Sir” in front of his name.
- When comparing batsmen, Vivian prefers Sachin Tendulkar over Brian Lara. He even stopped Sachin from retiring after India lost in the 2007 World Cup. He came to Vivian very upset and was ready to quit but he luckily convinced him not to.
- Vivian stated that the toughest bowler he had faced was the legendary former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee.
- Unlike one of his greatest rivals, cricketer Imran Khan, who went on to become a Prime Minister of Pakistan, Vivian is not interested in becoming a politician.
Featured Image by balhead / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
