Richardson not ready to jump the gun
by CricketArchive staff reporter
DateLine: 3rd June 2006
Former West Indian captain Richie Richardson is not
overtly excited with West Indies 4-1 win over India in
the ODI’s. "I wouldn't straightaway say that we have
turned the corner. We have beaten India in one-dayers
but only if we do the same in Tests would I feel that
we are improving," said Richardson who retired after
the 1996 Wills World Cup.
For West Indies to do an encore in the Test series,
the hosts would have to come to terms with Anil Kumble
who, Richardson feels, India missed greatly in the
one-day series. "I don't know the reasons why Kumble
wasn't in the one-day squad but he should always be in
India's team. I remember him as someone who was very
difficult to get away. He may be advancing in years
but he still is a formidable opponent”.
Richardson felt the extremely slow wickets in the West
Indies now have also been an huge reason for the
decline of the once dominant Windies.
"Like other things, this was also an area which we
neglected. We never used to have a situation where our
batsmen were not good against genuine fast bowling.
It's happening now," Richardson regretted. It brought
the attention on his own career when he started
wearing helmet in his final series against Australia,
which Steve Waugh said he did out of fear. "He could
say that now since Australia won that series (in
1995). I am not afraid of short pitched bowling even
today. I remember I was hit on the head in one of
those Tests but the next ball was dispatched out of
the ground. If I was afraid, I would have been running
for cover." Richardson was also one of those
cricketers who sought a 'break' from the game because
of excessive cricket.
Richardson does not feel there is too much cricket
being played these days, an opinion no doubt shaped by
the fact that he now is working for the sponsors,
Digicel, for the series. "I don't think there is too
much of cricket being played these days. I did seek
break in my time and I guess that freedom should be
given to senior cricketers of the modern era. If
somebody who has played the game for long wants a
break to recharge his batteries, he should be given
that option," he said.
Richardson retains happy memory of touring and playing
against India and two of his favourites are Kapil Dev
and Maninder Singh, "the left-arm spinner bowled very
craftily he concluded.
