Viv Richards Opens Up On Batting Without Helmet

In the times when players like Viv Richards took on the field, they represented the West Indies, with utmost passion. Fun and frolics has been a part of the West Indian culture and some of their present players have been swayed away with it over the pride of representing a country.

West Indies legend Viv Richards was an attacking batsman. He would take the bowlers to the cleaners. And such was his passion for the game, which is rarely seen these days, that he would take on fast bowlers of any stature without wearing a helmet.

Wouldn’t mind dying: Viv Richards

Viv Richards scored 8540 Test runs at an average of 50.23. In the One-Day International (ODI) format, he amassed 6721 runs, laced with eleven centuries and 45 half-centuries with his love for the game never in question. Richards, by his own admission said, he would not mid dying while playing cricket. In fact, for him, nothing would have been better than dying on the 22 yards.

He also takes Formula 1 drivers as example and feels nothing would be dangerous than driving those motorcars which can speed over 300kmph.

“The passion for the game I felt was such that I wouldn’t mind dying playing something that I love. If this is what I chose and I go down here, what better way is there to go,” said Richards on Shane Watson’s podcast.

“I have looked at other sportsmen and women who I have a lot of respect for doing it to an extreme level. I see a guy driving a Formula 1 racing car, what could be more dangerous than that?” Richards added, to which Watson jokingly replied, “Facing 150kph without a helmet?”

Viv Richards retired in 1991. But there has hardly been any cricketing equivalent to him. Though some believe India captain Virat Kohli is pushing that debate.