5 batsmen whose careers saw a downslide towards the end

#4 Viv Richards

Viv Richards: The master on the wane

To many (myself included), he is the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game. Viv’s legend was built upon his ability to intimidate and destroy quality fast bowling. His exploits are so endearing that they demand an analysis/appreciation of their own.

For a man who inspired an entire generation of cricketers, Viv also saw his powers waning when his eyesight and reflexes began to give away. This was evident from Dec 1988 onwards. Richards played 20 Tests until the end of his career, averaging a decent but un-Richards-like 36.3, with just 1 hundred, vs India.

His genius is evident from the fact that he still managed to cross 50 in 12 of the 32 innings he played (38%), but to many, he was just not the Viv that had stridden the cricketing universe like a king.

Span	Matches	Inns	n.o.	Runs	H.S.	Ave	100s	50s
22 Nov’74 – 23 Dec’88	101	150	9	7487	291	53.10	23	34
24 Dec;88 – 08 Aug’91	20	32	3	1053	110	36.31	1	11
Career	121	182	12	8540	291	50.23	24	45