Thaindian News

Birmingham, June 11 (IANS/CMC) West Indies’ wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin has apologised to Sir Vivian Richards after taunting the legendary West Indies batsman while celebrating his century on the fourth day of the final Test here Sunday.

On reaching his landmark at Edgbaston, Ramdin waved a piece of paper with the words “Yeah Viv Talk Nah” scribbled, and pointing it in the direction of the media centre, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported.

Viv, now a pundit with BBC’s Test Match Special, had earlier criticised Ramdin following the Trent Bridge Test defeat a fortnight ago.

Ramdin admitted Sunday he had been hurt by Viv’s comments and his celebration had been “emotional”.

“Sir Viv had said something (about me) in the press and I think I got a bit emotional and it came out in the way it did,” an apologetic Ramdin said.

“Having said that, he’s a legend of the Caribbean and I still look up to him.”

He added: “His statement was a bit hurtful to me, but I worked hard and I proved the critics (wrong). When I was not getting runs, I kept reminding myself that I needed to score runs and do well for myself and my teammates.”

Ramdin was recalled for the tour of England but struggled badly in the first two Tests with just 56 runs in four innings.

He finally found form Sunday, converting his overnight 60 into an unbeaten 107 to help lift the Windies to 426 in their first innings.

“Being out of international cricket for a long time and knowing there are players coming through all the time, I felt pressured… this is something that I love and I want to perform,” the Trinidadian gloveman said.

“I have not been getting runs since my return and we are playing against the number one Test side in the World and I wanted to do well.”

The century was only Ramdin’s second in 45 Tests where he averages a lowly 23.

His celebrations drew a stiff rebuke from several pundits and ex-Test players, including outstanding former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding who is now an analyst with Sky TV.

“If I was the manager of the team I would be having a word with that player and he would be getting a fine,” Holding said.

“I am not saying this because Viv was my former captain. That is simply unbecoming behaviour from a player.”

Ian Botham, England’s legendary all-rounder, said Ramdin’s actions were misplaced.

“It is not right to criticise someone like that,” Ian contended. “Viv is the greatest batsmen I have ever seen play the game and for him to have that kind of thing thrown in his face is just wrong.”

–IANS/CMC
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