Sir Vivian's style will be different
By Tony Cozier
SIR Viv Richards sensibly states that he won't be making any "drastic changes" in his role as acting West Indies coach for the remainder of the World Cup. But his style will certainly be different to Malcom Marshall who is recovering from an abdominal operation in a Birmingham hospital and who he temporarily replaces. "I'm taking over in midstream and I don't see the need for any drastic changes," the former West Indies captain said on his first day in the post yesterday. "With Malcolm's illness, the (West Indies Cricket) Board contacted me and I seem to be needed at this particular time." "I'm happy with how the team has improved as the tournament has gone on," he said. "They looked a little flat against Bangladesh in Dublin but the weather was cold and miserable and might have had something to do with that." "They looked totally organised against New Zealand and the clinical way they finished off Scotland on Thursday was very impressive," he added. Manager Clive Lloyd, Richards' predecessor as West Indies captain, filled in for the week Marshall was in hospital. Richards had to forego a contract with the BBC, for whom he was commentating on both radio and television, to answer the call from WICB president Pat Rousseau. The decision to engage him was made by the WICB's executive committee. The WICB approached Richards during Australia's tour of the Caribbean in March to be the team's batting coach for the World Cup. But, as Richards put it, "things didn't work out". As captain, Richards was a passionate perfectionist who demanded total commitment from his players. He didn't suffer fools, or foolish cricket, gladly and the modern West Indies players are likely to find him as demanding of high standards as those who played under him. A glare from captain Richards was instant shock treatment for anyone guilty of slack cricket. He was even known to have sent a lazy fielder off the field in a one-day international against Australia at the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1987. Marshall's approach is more technical, leaving it up to the players to perform in the middle. Richards' coaching has been confined to sessions in the Asian state of Brunei for the Sultan, repeatedly the world's richest man, and for the Caribbean Cricket Centre in Antigua. Richards was confident the West Indies had it in them to go all the way in the World Cup. "They're now on a roll after three straight wins," Richards said. "Confidence is a big thing and that's something I hope I can keep up." "It would be great for West Indies cricket to win the Cup and it really would be great for Curtly (Ambrose) and Courtney (Walsh)," he added. "It would be a real reward for the years they have put in for West Indies cricket." As they drove the two hours from Leicester to Manchester to prepare for Sunday's final first round match against Australia, they followed the progress of New Zealand's clash with Pakistan at Derby with interest. Pakistan's comfortable victory would have pleased them. It continued Wasim Akram's team's 100 per cent record and confirmed their confidence and all-round strength. It also diminished New Zealand's net run-rate, leaving them with a daunting task in their final match against Scotland in Edinburgh on Monday should the West Indies lose to Australia. Like Lara and Lloyd, Richards made it clear that he would be emphasising to the players they should aim for nothing less than victory. But, if it does come down to calculators, Pakistan did the West Indies a favour. 
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