ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Legendary West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards says he is hoping the pitch at the stadium named in his honour provides healthy bounce, in the opening Test against India starting here today.
The most dominant batsman of his era, the 64-year-old said bounce would not only benefit the faster bowlers but would also be welcome by batsmen.
“I was speaking to the groundsman recently and he told me that he is looking to make some changes, where he is hoping to have some more bounce on the track itself,” Sir Viv told the Antigua Observer.
Legendary former West Indies captain, Sir Vivian Richards.
“[I am] hoping that he could have this sort of a wicket that produces the pace and bounce that I think, maybe, would be of help. And not just maybe, to the bowlers but also to batters.”
Of the four Tests played at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, only one has finished with an outright result – when West Indies beat New Zealand by nine wickets four years ago.
The last Test played there in April last year was a high-scoring affair with England twice scoring well in excess of 300 and West Indies getting 350 in their second innings.
Sir Viv, who never lost a Test series as captain, said a bouncier pitch would do little to hamper run-scoring.
“If the ball is going to bounce around like that, batsmen do like to know that the ball is coming through so long as it’s even,” the iconic Antiguan said. “But having said that, let’s wait and see what the pitch offers up.”
The Test will see India playing their first ever international game at the venue, and Sir Viv said he was hoping for a big turnout.
“It’s not going to be like when England tours or anything like that with the barmy army because they bring a huge volume in terms of bodies,” he said.
“But I just hope that maybe, because of how hard the Ministry of Sports would have tried to make sure and securing that we have a match here, that the people do (justice) in terms of the support.”
