World Cup Heroes: Vivian Richards lords over 'em all in 1979

In the 1979 World Cup final played between England and the West Indies at Lord's, the hosts were ecstatic after they had reduced the visitors to 99 for 4. In helpful conditions, the England attack, consisting of Ian Botham, Mike Hendrick, Chris Old and Phil Edmonds, had bowled with untiring discipline and unremitting control to trouble the-then World Champions. Even the fielding was top notch as shown by Old's mind-numbing one-handed catch to dismiss Clive Lloyd.

However, 'King' Viv Richards, was still at the crease. With the Caribbean outfit in a spot of bother, Richards was joined at the crease by Collis King. The duo then proceeded to send the fielders on a leather hunt. In particular, the swagger with which Richards left the opposition ranks battered and bruised to score a century underlined his stamp of authority at the crease.

In short, 'match-winner' is an over-used word in the world of cricket, but it aptly describes Sir Vivian Isaac Richards. In a matter of minutes, he could turn the scales with his matchless brilliance, be it with his bat, through his electrifying fielding or even his friendly off-spin.

If we look back at Richards' wondrously enterprising innings in the '79 final, he seemed a touch subdued until he reached three-figures. It was only after King was superbly caught by Derek Randell at deep square leg that it felt as if Richards had decided to deliver the coup de grace. In the 52nd over of the game, he essayed an on-drive with jaw-dropping perfection to compose his century and then, with a royal exhibition of power-hitting, took the wind out of England's sails.

West Indies eventually made 286 for 9 and crushed England by 92 runs. Not surprisingly, Richards was declared as the Man of the Match. Richards, with his sterling knock, had certainly given those 25,000 fans who had come in anticipation of watching a riveting contest, their money's worth.

Curiously, before that incredible effort in the final, Richards didn't exactly have a great World Cup. He had made 28 not out, nine and 42 in his first three games of the showpiece event. Until then, openers, Gordon Greendige and Desmond Haynes were the mainstays of the batting line-up. It was in the semi-final at The Oval against Pakistan when he showed he was back in form. Just like a true champion, Richards rose to the occasion and composed a thrill-a-minute century in the final against England that is even now reminisced with wonderment and awe.

With 217 runs to his name, Richards ended up as the second highest run-scorer of the World Cup behind Greenidge. Richards also made a vital contribution with the ball in hand by snaring three crucial wickets against Pakistan in the semi-final. Richards' miraculous deeds in the history of World Cups wasn't just restricted to one sparkling effort. His athletic fielding in the 1975 World Cup final at Lord's against Australia and his stirring knock of 181 not out against Sri Lanka in Karachi in the 1987 mega-event have sealed its place in the folklore of cricket as some of the greatest moments in the history of World Cups. In short, Viv Richards was a freak of nature and a true legend of the game.