It was the 1979 Prudential World Cup final at Lords; the West Indies were in trouble. England had chosen to field upon winning the toss and when captain Clive Lloyd fell it was 99/4. But Collis King joined Viv Richards in the middle and by the time he departed, West Indies 238/5, the game was as good as won.
Their union produced 139 runs. Unbelievably, Kings share was 86, meaning the ebullient Barbadian had significantly outscored the man who wielded the most dreaded blade in the game. By the time the West Indies completed their 60 overs (Limited overs games in England those days were 60 overs) the score was 286/9, and Viv, in a man-of-the-match performance, was 138*.
Yet, Viv agrees, it was King who took charge of the innings and allowed them to reach what was then an intimidating score. The eventual margin of victory was 92 runs, as the West Indies irresistible four-pronged pace attack dismissed the hosts for 194, despite a 129-run opening partnership between Mike Brearly and Geoffrey Boycott.
Viv, at the time, stood at the pinnacle of world batting. His position was unchallenged, and much in the way that the deadly gunslinger was feared in the old west, many cowered at the thought of facing him. Chewing-gum was an ever-present part of his armour; the helmet wasnt. And his measured walk to the middle, often accompanied by rapturous cheers, was enough to intimidate all but the toughest of bowlers.
So long as you were willing to put aside the inevitable feeling of inadequacy, batting with Viv must have been quite pleasant. Think of it: Since there was hardly an attack or even a bowler capable of tying him down for any prolonged period, there would be very little scoreboard pressure; additionally, you would have a front-row seat to what was the finest travelling show in cricket.
The Batting Emperors capacity for mayhem was so far ahead of everyone elses that nobody thought there was a batsman breathing that could outshine him from the other end. The World Cup final, contested on crickets most prestigious ground, was the games biggest stage and provided the perfect context for a memorable performance from the master. And though he didnt disappoint it was King who commanded the stage that day, forcing Viv, for one of the few times in his career, out of his usual lead role, into that of supporting cast.
Those of us following by radio in the Caribbean could scarcely believe what was unfolding. King was by no means a top player for the West Indies; indeed it could be said that he had underperformed since making his debut on the 1976 tour of England. But he had an explosive quality about him; his fielding was electric, his bowling lively, and he had the ability to hit a cricket ball as hard as anyone. If there had been twenty20 in his day his services would have been widely sought.
Ignoring Vivs advice to take it easy", when he joined him in the middle King went on the offensive immediately and there was hardly a ball that evaded the very middle of his bat. This is what the Antiguan had to say in Sir Vivian, his autobiography:
Every time I told him to take it easy, he hit the ball further and further. He was in that special frame of mind and in the end I just relaxed and let him tear the bowling to shreds and, rather than the two of us going berserk, I took time out and worked around him while his fire raged. I didnt feel I should try and match himThere was the more important issue of the West Indies reaching 200, and I was happy to support and play second fiddle. (p. 151)
Kings 86 came off 66 deliveries with 10 fours, three sixes, and his 139-run partnership with Viv lasted 77 exhilarating minutes.
The West Indies sizeable victory indicates that the contest was not very close, but when King joined the fray his side was precariously perched on the edge of a precipice and they possibly could have toppled over had King, the last of the recognized batsmen, not made a substantial contribution. The top order had fallen away quickly, and of those who came after him only wicketkeeper Deryck Murray managed to trouble the scorers, making five. King stopped the collapse dead in its tracks and sent the West Indies innings hurtling along at break-neck pace. He took over the controls from the best in the business, relegating the great man to the position of passenger as they guided the Caribbean side to safety, and to their second hold on the World Cup title.
Kings career after the world cup proceeded much the same way it did before he continued being useful without being spectacular. He last played for the West Indies in England in 1980 and effectively wrecked his chances of donning the maroon cap again when he joined the band of rebels that toured South Africa in 1982-83.
In an unexceptional career King played 9 tests for the West Indies and 18 One day Internationals. And if up and coming youngsters in the game would find his record unremarkable, it is certain they would covet at least one day in his career: June 23, 1979. That was the day he played a pivotal role in reclaiming the games most lucrative prize for the Caribbean; the day he upstaged the games best and most destructive batsman.
© Cricbuzz
www.cricbuzz.com
