Sir Viv Richards turned 74 in March 2026, and more than three decades after his last Test he is still the yardstick for swagger at the crease. No helmet, no fear and a bat that bowlers dreaded: the Master Blaster changed what batting could look like.
Here is how a boy from St John's became one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Century. Browse our Cricket collection.
Sir Viv Richards Fact File
| Full name | Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 March 1952 (age 74) |
| Place of birth | St John's, Antigua |
| Position | Right-handed batter, occasional off-spin and seam |
| Nationality | Antiguan |
| Teams | West Indies, Leeward Islands, Combined Islands, Somerset, Queensland, Glamorgan |
| Current status | Retired (last Test 1991) |
| Nickname | The Master Blaster, King Viv |
Career History
| Format | Years | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 1974–1991 | 121 | 8,540 | 50.23 | 24 |
| ODIs | 1975–1991 | 187 | 6,721 | 47.00 | 11 |
| First-class (all teams) | 1971/72–1993 | 507 | 36,212 | 49.40 | 114 |
International figures are for West Indies; first-class totals include Tests plus his county years with Somerset (1974–1986) and Glamorgan (1990–1993), and spells with the Leeward Islands, Combined Islands and Queensland.
Early Years in Antigua
Richards was born in St John's, Antigua, on 7 March 1952 and went to St John's Boys Primary before winning a scholarship to Antigua Grammar School.
He made his first-class debut for the Leeward Islands and Combined Islands in the 1971/72 season, and by 1974 he had joined Somerset in English county cricket.
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The Breakthrough
His Test debut came against India on 22 November 1974, and his ODI bow followed at the first World Cup in 1975, a tournament West Indies won.
Then came 1976, one of the greatest years any batter has had. Richards plundered 829 runs at an average of 118.42 in just four Tests in England, capped by a career-best 291 at The Oval.
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Defining Moments
In the 1979 World Cup final at Lord's he made 138 not out to win the man of the match award and a second straight title. Five years later he smashed 189 not out against England at Old Trafford, one of the great one-day innings.
In Antigua in 1986 he reached a Test hundred off just 56 balls, at the time the fastest ever. He was named Wisden's greatest ODI batter of all time in 2002.
Captain and Legacy
Richards captained West Indies in 50 Tests from 1984 to 1991, winning 27 and losing only eight, and never lost a Test series as captain.
He finished with 8,540 Test runs and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, built for the 2007 World Cup, carries his name.
Honours
Team
- Cricket World Cup winner (1975, 1979)
- West Indies Test captain (1984–1991)
Individual
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1977)
- Man of the match, 1979 World Cup final
- Wisden's greatest ODI batter of all time (2002)
Recognition
- Knighted by Antigua and Barbuda (1999)
- OBE (1994)
- One of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Century (2000)
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009)
Away From the Game
Since retiring Richards has stayed close to the game as a broadcaster, including on BBC Test Match Special, and as a mentor in the Pakistan Super League. He is married to Miriam, and his son Mali also played first-class cricket.
FAQs
How old is Viv Richards?
Sir Viv Richards was born on 7 March 1952, so he is 74.
Where was Viv Richards born?
He was born in St John's, Antigua.
Why is Viv Richards called the Master Blaster?
The nickname reflects his fearless, aggressive strokeplay, often against the fastest bowlers without a helmet.
What teams did Viv Richards play for?
West Indies, the Leeward Islands, Combined Islands, Somerset, Queensland and Glamorgan.
What was Viv Richards' highest Test score?
291 against England at The Oval in 1976. He averaged 50.23 across 121 Tests.
What was Viv Richards' most famous innings?
Many pick his 138 not out in the 1979 World Cup final at Lord's, or his 56-ball Test hundred in Antigua in 1986.
Shop the Sir Viv Richards Collection
Celebrate King Viv's swagger with designs made for fans who love the golden age of West Indies cricket.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Brian Lara Career Story and Garfield Sobers Career Story.
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