Gordon Greenidge (WI)
Gordon Greenidge (West Indies)
In the history of the game of cricket, there can only be a very small number of batsmen who can lay claim to having as complete a technique as this man. Although he was born in Barbados, Gordon spent most of his formative years in the Home Counties, acquiring a virtually bulletproof defensive technique on the uncovered pitches of the time while working his way through the Berkshire youth ranks. This was then mixed in with the attacking instincts of an uninhibited Caribbean heritage to produce a batsman who was never shy of the hook or pull, as well as one who possessed one of the most withering and dismissive square cuts in the business! His First Class debut was for Hampshire (a county he remained loyal to throughout his career) and he also caught the attention of the England selectors, who wanted him to play for England. However he rejected this and waited for his chance with the West Indies. This came on 22nd November 1974 against India in Bangalore, and he responded with scores of 93 and 107 on debut. He went on to play 108 tests and 128 one day internationals for the West Indies, averaging around 45 in both forms of the game. Among the many highlights in his career was the brutal 214 not out against England at Lord's in 1984, snatching victory with an innings of what is widely regarded as one of the best ever. He was also the third person ever to score a century in his 100th Test match, he was one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1977 and was also one half of one of the most destructive, prolific, enduring and sometimes downright intimidating opening partnerships of all time with Desmond Haynes. There was also a rumour circulating that there was a direct correlation between the ferocity of his hitting and the severity of his limp when running, but Gordon claims that's a myth!
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