OTD | Viv Richards trashed Sri Lankan bowling attack in 1987 World Cup match in Karachi

Two-time world champions West Indies started their 1987 World Cup campaign on a negative note, losing to England by two wickets. Windies were no longer the dominant force that they were once under Clive Lloyd. However, their captain Viv Richards was still one of the strongest in the world and he demonstrated his prowess in Karachi against Sri Lanka.

Opting to field first at the Karachi National Stadium, Lankan captain Duleep Mendis thought to have an early crack with their bowlers. Interestingly, the Lions also lost their first match against hosts Pakistan by 15 runs. Hence, it was necessary for both Windies and Sri Lanka to bounce back to keep them in the hunt.

Desmond Haynes and Carlisle Best gave a steady start for the Caribbean side, but Ravi Ratnayeke broke the 45-run partnership. The right-arm pacer got rid of Carlisle Best and in the very next delivery, he dismissed Richie Richardson to put Sri Lanka in the driver’s seat. Mendis and Co. started to celebrate the dream start they got, but they forgot the talisman of the West Indies team was yet to come.

Haynes’ century was completely overshadowed by Richards’ blazing knock

Richards, who fell for 27 runs against England, came with the aim of annihilating the Lankan bowling attack, and he did just that. Richards and Haynes started smashing the opponent bowlers all around the park. Haynes was also excellent with his 124-ball 105 knock, but he was completely overshadowed by their skipper. The duo stitched 182 runs for the third wicket and took the game away from Sri Lanka.

Richards continued the onslaught along with Gus Logie, adding 116 runs for the fourth wicket to help the Windies post a mammoth total of 360 for 4 in 50 overs. Richards’ scintillating knock finally came to an end after scoring 181 off 125 balls with 16 fours and 7 sixes. Asantha de Mel, who took the wicket off Richards, went for runs in 10 overs. Totals over 300 were very rare in those times and the game was pretty done and dusted in the first half itself. Sri Lanka were restricted to 169/4 in 50 overs as West Indies registered a commanding 191-run victory in Karachi.

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