Why Not Go And Have Some Professional Fun: Viv Richards On Playing T20 Cricket In His Playing Days

West Indies batting great Sir Vivian Richards said he would have had fun playing T20 cricket during his time. Richards was regarded as one of the established batters of his era who allured the fans with his exuberance and master-class batting.

The 70-year-old amassed 8540 runs in Test cricket and 6721 in the 50-over format in 17 years of international cricket. The first T20 match was played between New Zealand women and England women in 2004 in Hove.

If T20 was around at that time when were, then why not go and have some professional fun: Viv Richards

The shortest format is not only interesting to a huge audience across the globe but also has prepared major administrators financially strong. Players also have the opportunity to play in different T20 leagues in the world and extend their relations with various players from opposite nations.

Richards said that he enjoyed playing Test cricket during his playing days but would have accepted the shortest format of the game in regards to profession.

“Well, I will put it this way that I have gone through all the stuff- the red-ball cricket- that to me it is the hardest cricket, it is the most joyable of sachem, just in times for any batsman.

“And if you come to that sort of environment, I always look at T20. If T20 was around at that time when were, then why not go and have some professional fun,” Richards told ESPNCricinfo.

Joel Garnder would have hit a lot of stumps in this time as well: Viv Richards

Richards said that former England all-rounder Ian Botham and his former teammate Joel Garner would have dominated in the T20 format with their bowling sharpness and pace.

“Ian Botham for sure, Collis King I know for sure, Joel Garner for sure because what I see at times when you have individuals who are trying to bowl yorkers, sometimes miss their mark. Joel Gardener was one of the best and I know he would have hit a lot of stumps in this time as well,” the 70-year-old said. 

Richards was the mentor and batting coach of Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta Gladiators last month in PSL 2022.

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