Richards and Botham replace Wisden Trophy

by Rex Clementine

Watching County Cricket in the 1980s must have been fun. There were some quality players around. Hampshire had David Gower and Malcolm Marshall; Essex had Graham Gooch and Allan Border while Somerset had Sir Ian Botham and Sir Viv Richards. Watching the two friends trying to outhit each other over River Tone would have been quite an experience. England and West Indies have been playing Test cricket for the last 57 years for the Wisden Trophy and the two cricket boards announced on Friday that they are naming the series after two former greats – Richards and Botham.

The Wisden Trophy was introduced to mark the centenary anniversary of the Almanac. Both Richards and Botham played for it.  The need to change the title and dedicate the series after some of the finest players the countries have seen was first suggested by former England captain Mike Atherton, who is now a prominent cricket writer and broadcaster in Britain.

There are of course those who ask the question whether instead of naming the series after the two terrific players, whether it should have been just named Sir Viv Richards Trophy. Like Sir Frank Worrell Trophy for which Australia and West Indies contest.

The simple reason for it is that Botham never was part of a winning side when he played the West Indies, who dominated the sport from late 1970s to early 1990s. Botham averaged 21 with the bat and 35 with the ball against the West Indies and scored no hundreds.  Richards whereas always raised his game when playing against England. He averaged 62 against them, way above his career average of 50.

But there is more to cricket than stats alone.  Botham calls Richards a ‘blood brother’. Richards recalls how Botham used to get hate mail simply because the Antiguan was his friend. Not just that.  Richards was Botham’s first born’s godfather. Liam was born in 1977, and Richards was yet to become a superstar. That must have been a very unpopular decision in Britain in 1970s. But Botham stood by his mate.

Twice, Botham was offered lucrative contracts by South Africans during the apartheid era to be part of ‘rebel tours’. Botham turned down both offers simply because Richards was his friend. Botham calls Richards ‘smoky’ and Richards calls Botham ‘beefy’. Nicknames that stuck.

Those who argue that Botham’s name should not have been there should be reminded that Australia and Sri Lanka play for Warne – Murali Trophy. Now then, what’s Murali’s stats against the Aussies? World’s highest wicket taker averaged 36 against the Aussies, whereas his career average was 22. Nobody argues about Murali’s name being there.

Botham’s was knighted for his services for the game of cricket.  He could have been knighted for his charitable acts as well. Many walks that he undertook to help leukemia patients has been appreciated by all and sundry. Not just in the cold climes of Britain.  Even in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka, Botham walked from north to south for several days. Funds poured in and were utilized to help the poor.

Sportsman can do much to make others’ life better.  Both Botham and Richards have done much. It’s time to retire the Wisden Trophy to the Lord’s museum. Let’s celebrate cricket by appreciating some of our finest players.