King Richards at his Marauding best : 1984/85 4th test Australia vs West Indies MELBOURNE
Come 7th Mar, we will be celebrating Sir/King IVA Richards Birthday
In 1970s/80s, two knocks were touted as the potential ones by the well know cricketing scribes/commentators, if the players had willed, it would have surpassed Sir Gary Sobers’ 365 (highest test knock at that time). In both the cases, the players ran out of partners and most importantly got out due to sheer boredom. Interestingly, both the players scored 208 and their friendship was celebrated in the cricketing world — One was Botham and the other one was “Smoking Joe — Sir Isaac Vivan Alexander Richards”.
In 1984/85, Sir Richards had a mediocre series against the weakened but a resurging Aussies. Lawson was at his piercing best (I like the way he jumped at the crease). Despite having the fearsome bowlers (Lawson, Alderman, Rackeman, Rodney Hogg), the aussies lost the 1st 3 tests. Until the 4th test, Richards’ contribution was negligible. In fact, he scored a zilch in the previous test at Adelaide.
In the 4th test at Melbourne, he came, saw and conquered the Aussies bowling. A new and a raw pace bowler, Craig McDermott made his debut. He was extremely fast and tested the King on a bouncy Melbourne track. He did not score a 50 in his previous test innings and the great Windies was on a roll — 11 victories on trot (most probably they would have pummelled poms into submission, 4–0 or 5–0).
The king used his tested weapon, the bat and swung to all the corners of the ground, also called “G”. He scored three 6s and Twenty two 4s. The debutant bowler was shown his place. Both he and Lawson scored a century in bowling.
Later, when we saw the highlights, we were totally bowled over by the audacity of the shots and the way, the bouncers were negotiated. With a lovely commentary from Bill Lawry, Richie Benaud, Keith Stackpole & Ian Chappel, please enjoy this wonderful knock by our King.
A particular shot to the fence was applauded by the Maverick, Greg Mathews.
Sadly, the MOM went to that dour opener, Andrew Hilditch, for saving the test.
