OTD: Viv Richards set record books on fire with 181-run knock in 1987

It was on this day, on October 13, 1987, when Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards massacred Sri Lanka and swept them away at the National Stadium in Karachi during the 1987 World Cup.

The West Indies had come into this game after England had beaten them in the opening game of the tournament. West Indies were asked to bat first after Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis won the toss.

Desmond Haynes hammered 105 runs in 124 balls with 10 fours and one six, but the West Indies middle order flopped with Carlisle Best (18) and Richie Richardson (0) getting out in quick succession. Even the most pessimistic Sri Lankan supporter would not have predicted what was about to happen at 45/2 and Ravi Ratnayake on a hat-trick.

Sir Viv Richards came out to bat and played one of the best knocks in one-day internationals. He started sedately, taking 62 balls for 50. But after that, he just unleashed hell on the Sri Lankan bowlers, who were taken to the cleaners at the National Stadium in Karachi.

His tenth one-day international century, unprecedented at the time, took just 97 balls, and the last 81 runs then came from just 33 deliveries. The West Indies were 258 in the 44th over when Richards began unleashing on Sri Lankan bowlers. Ratnayeke was thrashed for 44 in two overs, with his hopes of hat-trick glory cruelly dashed, and the unfortunate Ashantha de Mel went for 97 runs off his 10 overs.

Furthermore, Richards added 182 in 177 balls with Haynes, with the West Indies captain smacking seven sixes and 16 fours in a blazing innings that spanned 125 balls as West Indies made 360/4 in 50 overs.

Sri Lanka were nowhere in the chase, as they made only 169/4 in 50 overs, with Arjuna Ranatunga scoring 52* and Duleep Mendis making 37*, as the West Indies won the match by 191 runs.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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