Cozier On Cricket: ‘Master Blaster' on tricky wicket

Like all great sportsmen, there was nothing Sir Viv Richards relished more than a challenge.

A scrap with Lillee and Thomson or Hogg and Pascoe at the MCG, a Cup final at Lord's, the chance to strut their stuff for his adoring Antiguans at the Recreation Ground, all set the proud adrenaline pumping and something special was the usual consequence.

Now the Master Blaster is back for yet another challenge, as demanding as any he had in his days as the game's most commanding batsman.

In control

At least then he was in control of his own destiny. It was hand-to-hand combat.

Now, as he returns as coach to the West Indies team, his fate rests entirely with others of a different generation who have had to endure a prolonged period of turmoil and underachievement.

First up, the team undertakes a short but, as Richards is aware from harsh experience, always demanding tour of New Zealand.

There they will find well-balanced opponents buoyed by their series triumph in England last summer and toughened by a recent tour of India.

These would all have been influential factors in his decision to come back into West Indies cricket eight years after he played the last of his 121 Tests.

Doing his bit for Antiguan tourism, coaching for the sultan of Brunei and occasionally commenting on radio and television were relaxing ways to pass his time, but no one would have felt the recent trouncings in Pakistan and South Africa and the continuing internal dissention more keenly.

One of Richards' most obvious traits is his fierce pride. He has always been overwhelmingly conscious of what cricket means to West Indian people and it was inevitable that he should want to get involved again.

He had fleeting experience of what lies ahead in the World Cup when he stood in for the ailing Malcolm Marshall. He was typically forthright in stating he did not like what he saw.

"The individuals today don't quite realise what cricket means to the Caribbean," he said at the time. "Until they realise that, they should take a back seat."

In an interview in the London Daily Express last week, he was equally blunt in assessing the root cause of the current problems.

Motivation

"I honestly believe that lack of commitment in West Indies cricket is an issue that drastically needs attention," he said.

"Everyone says there's not much talent now. I'm not so sure, but you've got to work at it."

Before leaving for New Zealand, he spoke of the need for motivation, "to keep the spirit going, keep the momentum going and not to say die at any time".

His three predecessors, Rohan Kanhai, Andy Roberts and Marshall, all team-mates of his at some stage and also what Wes Hall would call "golden icons", came with equal enthusiasm, if not with quite the same openly candid views.

All were frustrated by their experience.

Kanhai was replaced, reportedly because some players were unhappy with his strict discipline and even though the West Indies had never lost during his tenure.

Roberts lasted a year but, long before his dismissal, complained that the fast bowlers wouldn't listen to him, one of the finest fast bowlers of all time.

It was something Marshall also encountered with his fellow West Indians, but not with those of other nationalities who so regularly came to him for his generous advice.

It is a strange attitude Richards may also have to deal with although he starts with the advantage of having several young, very talented players seeking to make their way in the game.

He also has in Brian Lara a skipper whose style of batting and captaincy are not unlike his own.

One of his first tasks is to imbibe him with the commitment and competitiveness that were so integral a part of his own game.

Yes, Richards is back and the challenge is great and immediate.