Ian Smith, Cricketer turned commentator, feels the legendary player Sir Viv Richards would have taken the T20 cricket by storm if the format had been invented during his playing days.
Ian Smith participated in an ICC Podcast ‘Cricket Inside Out’ where he remembered his playing days and competing against the great Sir Viv Richards. Speaking on the show Smith said the legendary player is a complete player, without fear and with all kinds of cricketing shots.
Sir Viv Richards’ strike rate speaks volumes
On being asked, what would have Viv done to T20 format of the game if he were born a bit later to play modern day cricket, Ian Smith replied Viv Richards would have had a go at any form of cricket in any decade.
“…one of the hardest things in cricket is to say someone in fifties as better than someone the other 90s or the 2000s. What all says this, I believe Vivian Richards would have made a go at cricket at any form in any decade,” says former NZ wicket-keeper batsman.
Talking further he added that looking at his strike rate at the time when T20 format was not even in the picture says a lot about the man. He could have been an absolute legend and would have been paid more than like of Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes and all the guys lined up, said Smith.
Have never seen a more imposing batsman
Ian Smith, who was recently awarded the Bert Sutcliffe Medal by New Zealand Cricket, further added that he has never seen a more imposing batsman than Vivian Richards throughout his playing and commentating days collectively.
“..The time I played or in the time of commentating cricket I don’t think I have ever seen a more imposing batsman come to the crease.”
He also remembered his playing days against the legendary batsman and said he used to concentrate more while standing behind Viv because getting carried away with Richards’ stature and missing a chance to get him out might cost him.
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