Viv Richards's son hammers triple hundred

Mali Richards, the son of Sir Vivian Richards, showed signs of his batting pedigree, slamming 319 for Antigua & Barbuda against the combined US & British Virgin Islands in the Leeward Island Cricket Tournament. It was the highest individual score in the history of the 90-year-old competition, breaking the previous record of 318, which was held by Alex Adams of Anguilla.

Mali, who is only 19, spent more than eight hours at the crease, getting his runs from 420 balls. He was, naturally, ecstatic after his effort: "I'm really pleased. It is a lot of hard work being rewarded. I'm really pleased it could be done in front [of my supporters]. I'm just really, really overjoyed."

His father, Viv, was away in St Lucia, watching West Indies do battle against Sri Lanka, but Mali confirmed that they spoke over the phone. "I spoke with him and he seemed really pleased," said Mali. "I guess we have a lot to talk about afterwards." Mali's triple-hundred enabled Antigua & Barbuda to pile on a massive 789 in reply to the Virgin Islands' paltry score of 47 all out - less than a sixth of the runs that Mali amassed on his own.

Richards Junior has been studying in England for the past three years, and will join Middlesex on July 1 after signing a one-year contract with them. He also played club cricket in Australia in 2002.