Richards heaps praise on Blackwood
Young Jamaican produces fighting maiden century against England in first innings
West Indies legend Vivian Richards has likened Jermaine Blackwood to “a bit of Collis King”, and believes the young Jamaican has the making of a “good batsman in the middle” for the Caribbean side in the long-term future.
Richards, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, was speaking on the 29th anniversary of his world record 56-ball century against England at the Antigua Recreational Ground, reports CMC.
He was on hand to see Blackwood score his maiden Test match century, an unbeaten 112, on the third day of the opening Test here on Wednesday.
“He reminds me sort of a guy like Collis King, a kind of batsman with that wonderful natural ability who can play the big, strong shots, but can also bat you out of a difficult situation,” Richards said.
Big-hitting ability
“He has the ability to play those ‘big’ shots. He’s a very confident young man. But today we saw a different kind of Jermaine. They bounced him and made life a little uncomfortable but he fought through that situation and proved he’s got guts and strength. You need that to make it in Test cricket.” Richards added: “He did hit some big shots into the crowd, and that takes some ability, and I was really pleased to see he stuck to his guns and played his natural game. But he also settled down and pulled the team out of trouble and that was great to see.
“I definitely believe we have the kind of individual we are looking for in terms of someone who can hold down a spot in the middle order for West Indies where Test cricket is concerned.”
Blackwood entered the contest on Tuesday’s second day and played superbly, facing 220 balls in five and a half hours at the crease, and hitting 14 fours and two sixes.
It was the 23-year-old’s ninth innings in his sixth Test match, since making his Test debut last year against New Zealand.
Richards had a hand in Blackwood’s recent development when he worked with the West Indies A Team against Bangladesh A in the Caribbean and against Sri Lanka A overseas.