Michael Holding Names Best Batsman In History Of The Game

Ask the West Indies fast bowling legend Michael Holding, and he would say that, he could make merry of any batsmen during his time. In the 1976 cricket season in England, Michael Holding was a frightening sight for the batsmen. It was the final Test at Oval, where Michael Holding emerged as a top fast bowler, picking eight wickets in the first innings and six in the second. He did so on a lifeless wicket, where picking wickets, looked like a daunting task.

Holding also played alongside some of the finest batsmen on the international circuit and Sir Viv Richards was one of them. Holding shared the dressing room with Richards for a decade, saw his game closely, and feels he is an unsurpassed batsman.

Viv is the best batsman I have seen: Michael Holding

Viv Richards was a fearless batsmen. It was hard to intimidate him. He would terrorize the batsmen, bowlers and on-lookers alike. When he stepped in to bat the hair on the arms of the opposition players rose watching his approach. Michael Holding believes Viv Richards was the best batsman he has seen against anything and everything.

Viv Richards retired with the Test average of 50.23. He faced some of the finest bowlers under the likes of Richard Hadlee, Dennis Lillee, Abdul Qadir, Bishan Singh Bedi, Ian Botham and scored against all of them.

“Viv is the best batsman I have seen against anything and everything,” Holding told Sky Sports.

“He never looked intimidated. Richard Hadlee in New Zealand, Dennis Lillee in Australia, Abdul Qadir in Pakistan, Bishan Bedi in India. Ian Botham in England. He got runs against anybody and everybody.

“As he was batting at No 3 for West Indies, I often saw him watch the first couple of overs, get a visual picture, and then go and sleep,” he added.