Viv Richards was my hero as a child

[Kangaroo-King]

I only ever idolized two cricketers as a young child, being an Aussie, one of those was, Denis Lillee, the other, Viv Richards.

I loved to watch, Viv Richards, bat, even to this very day I rate him as being the best batsman that I have ever seen.

I knew nothing of racial difference as a young white kid in those days and it was because of this man that I never had a problem in this area of life, sport is the great equalizer, and of every sport it is this one cricket of which a man from every nationality be it an Aussie - West Indian - Pakistani - or a Kiwi can be the greatest of the sport at any given time.

To me it is still, Denis and Viv, who were the best I've ever seen, three others were also greats, being, Imran Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, and our very own, Shane Warne.

I thank you "Sir Vivian Richards" for the great memories I have of you.

[jrwb]

I agree with you, and their should be a Sir Dennis Lillee, too...

[Kangaroo-King]

Originally Posted by jrwb

I agree with you, and their should be a Sir Dennis Lillee, too...

When I was 16 I was fortunate enough to meet Dennis Lillee at the Glouster Park football and cricket ground in the small south west WA town of Margaret River 270Km south of Perth.

It is a great memory to me, it was on the eve of his last ever game for WA, he had just played in a losing McDonalds Cup One Day Final a few days before this and played in his last Sheild game the Final against Queensland that WA won which started about three days later.

I actually played some junior football against Matt Clape who went on to be a member of Carlton's 1995 AFL Premiership team on that same ground the year before that.

As Margaret River is a major surfing place near where Taj Burrows grew up, Dennis, being an avid surfer himself has a holiday home in the small town of Gracetown, 10km to the north, which was unfortunately in the news a few years back because some school kids were crushed to death by rocks falling from a cliff.

As far as Viv Richards is concerned I unfortunately have never met him though I would love to some day, but like me and you, both Viv and Dennis, were Justin Langer's idols when he was growing up so that sits very comfortably with me, I'll never forget the joy both these great cricketers gave to me.

[jrwb]

Lillee has always been my favourite fast bowler - he had the most graceful runup and delivery I have seen in any fast bowler - to say nothing of his phenomenal success. Unfortunately I have never had the privelege of meeting the great man.

Viv Richards, on the other hand, great bat that he was - may not be too nice a guy to meet. My brother recalls meeting some of the WI side in Barbados many years ago and mentioned to me that Viv was not particularly friendly. I personally thought that he had an arrogant swagger and I would not care to meet him.

My wife and I have met and chatted with Clive Lloyd, and he's a really nice chap...by all means keep your fond memories of the 'masta blasta' - after all he is still one of the greats...