Sir Viv returns to play for Somerset

LONDON: West Indies batting legend Sir Vivian Richards has confirmed a nostalgic return to his former county Somerset for a festival match next month.

The 51-year-old Sir Vivian, currently the chairman of the West Indies selection committee, will return to the Somerset County Ground, appearing for Lashings Cricket Club against his old county on July 21. Other ex-West Indies captains Richie Richardson and Jimmy Adams are also listed for the match. Sir Vivian, along with ex-Test players Joel Garner (West Indies) and Ian Botham (England), made up the big three in the Glory Years of the late 1970s and early 1980s when the county won the Gillette Cup and the Benson and Hedges Cup on two occasions and the John Player League once.

The Antiguan “Master Blaster” played for Somerset between 1974 and 1986 and scored nearly 15,000 runs at an average of just under 50, which included 322 against Warwickshire in 1985. Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson said on Thursday: “David Foalb the Lashings coach and managing director has confirmed that Sir Vivian Richards will definitely be appearing, along with Richie Richardson and Jimmy Adams, which is great news.” The great man is also expected to officially open the new Sir Vivian Richards Gates that are situated at the Priory Bridge entrance to the County Ground on that day.