10 Most Destructive One Day International innings of all time

#4 Sir Vivian Richards’s 189 not out against England at Manchester in 1984

Sir Vivian Richards - The most feared batsman of the 80s

Vivian Richards was the most feared batsman of the 80s. His arrogant and confident stride to the wicket was a sight to behold. In his heydays, Richards used to dominate bowlers all over the world and made them regret their decision for having chosen bowling as an occupation.

Richards’ most destructive innings came in the first ODI between England and the West Indies at Manchester in 1984. In this match, West Indies, after electing to bat, were struggling at 102 for 7. Fortunately for the Windies, Richards was holding one end up on 65 while wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Richards, on that day, was at his fluent best with his on-side play as also with his inside out off-side shots.

At the fall of the seventh wicket, all-rounder Eldine Baptiste came to the crease and added 59 runs for the eighth wicket before he was caught behind off Ian Botham. Soon West Indies were reduced to 166 for 9 when last man Michael Holding joined the Antiguan.

Richards was in the 90s when Holding joined him. He duly completed his century which came off 112 balls with 12 fours. Immediately after completing his century Richards launched into the England bowlers. With the last man Holding as a company, he plundered the English bowling to all parts of the ground. Richards reached his 150 with 15 fours and 4 sixes. He added 106 runs for the last wicket with Holding, out of which Holding’s contribution was a mere 12 runs.

Richards finished with 189 not out off 170 balls with 21 fours and 5 sixes. All his 5 sixes were hit after reaching his hundred. Richards made 189 out of the team’s score of 272 contributing to 70% of his team’s total.

Richards contributed with the ball too claiming 2 wickets and the West Indies won that match by 104 runs. A score of 189 in 1984 was never heard off. Richards was one of those pioneers of such massive scores in that era.