Sir Viv Richards was one of the most dominant batters in West Indies cricket history and a defining figure of international cricket. The right-handed batter represented the West Indies in Test and ODI cricket between 1974 and 1991. Richards played 121 Tests and 187 ODIs, finishing his international career with 15,261 runs. He scored 8,540 Test runs at an average of 50.23 and 6,721 ODI runs at an average of 47.00. His international record includes 35 centuries, 90 half-centuries and 150 wickets as a part-time bowler. Richards also contributed 222 international catches and was renowned for his aggressive batting and exceptional fielding. His unbeaten 189 in ODI cricket and 291 in Tests remain among the defining numbers of his legendary career.
Viv Richards Career Information
Category
Details
Full Name
Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards
Date of Birth
7 March 1952
National Team
West Indies
Playing Role
Batter
Batting Style
Right-Handed
Bowling Style
Right-Arm Off Break / Medium Pace
International Formats
Test, ODI
Viv Richards Test Stats
Statistic
Record
Matches
121
Innings
182
Not Outs
12
Runs
8,540
Highest Score
291
Batting Average
50.23
Strike Rate
86.08
Centuries
24
Half-Centuries
45
Fours
1,051
Sixes
84
Catches
122
Wickets
32
Richards finished his Test career with 8,540 runs in 121 matches, including 24 centuries and 45 half-centuries. His highest Test score was 291, while his career average remained above 50. He also took 32 wickets with his part-time bowling.
Viv Richards Test Bowling Stats
Statistic
Record
Bowling Innings
103
Balls Bowled
5,170
Runs Conceded
1,964
Wickets
32
Best Bowling
2/17
Bowling Average
61.37
Economy Rate
2.27
Bowling Strike Rate
161.56
Viv Richards ODI Stats
Statistic
Record
Matches
187
Innings
167
Not Outs
24
Runs
6,721
Highest Score
189*
Batting Average
47.00
Strike Rate
90.20
Centuries
11
Half-Centuries
45
Fours
600
Sixes
126
Catches
100
Wickets
118
Viv Richards was one of the pioneers of aggressive ODI batting. He scored 6,721 runs in 187 ODIs at an average of 47.00 and a strike rate of 90.20, an exceptional scoring rate for his era. His 189 not out against England was his highest ODI score, while he also collected 118 wickets with the ball.
Viv Richards ODI Bowling Stats
Statistic
Record
Bowling Innings
131
Balls Bowled
5,644
Runs Conceded
4,228
Wickets
118
Best Bowling
6/41
Bowling Average
35.83
Economy Rate
4.49
Bowling Strike Rate
47.83
Viv Richards International Career Stats
Statistic
Record
Test Matches
121
ODI Matches
187
Total International Matches
308
Test Runs
8,540
ODI Runs
6,721
Total International Runs
15,261
Test Centuries
24
ODI Centuries
11
Total International Centuries
35
Test Wickets
32
ODI Wickets
118
Total International Wickets
150
Test Catches
122
ODI Catches
100
Total International Catches
222
Viv Richards’s International Centuries
Viv Richards scored 35 international centuries during his career, with 24 hundreds in Test cricket and 11 in ODIs. His century record was built on consistency and an aggressive approach that made him one of the most feared batters of his generation.
Format
Centuries
Test
24
ODI
11
Total
35
Viv Richards’s International Runs
Viv Richards accumulated 15,261 international runs for the West Indies across Test and ODI cricket. His Test tally of 8,540 runs came at an average of 50.23, while his 6,721 ODI runs came at an average of 47.00.
Format
Runs
Test
8,540
ODI
6,721
Total
15,261
Viv Richards Fielding Stats
Richards was also an outstanding international fielder and contributed significantly to the West Indies with his athleticism. He finished his career with 122 Test catches and 100 ODI catches, giving him 222 catches across international cricket.
Format
Catches
Test
122
ODI
100
Total
222
Viv Richards Bowling Stats
Although primarily recognized as a world-class batter, Richards was an effective part-time bowler. He claimed 32 Test wickets and 118 ODI wickets, finishing with 150 international wickets. His best international bowling performance was 6/41 in ODI cricket against India.
Format
Wickets
Test
32
ODI
118
Total
150
Viv Richards Career Summary
Viv Richards finished his international career with 308 matches, 15,261 runs, 35 centuries, 150 wickets and 222 catches for the West Indies. His 8,540 Test runs and 6,721 ODI runs highlight his exceptional consistency, while his 90.20 ODI strike rate was particularly remarkable for his era. His 291 in Tests, unbeaten 189 in ODIs and 118 ODI wickets remain among the standout statistics of one of cricket’s greatest all-round performers.
