Gordon Greenidge
November 16, 2007
The more dynamic half of the greatest opening duo in test cricket history, when it came to batting but morose otherwise, Gordon Greenidge was the flamboyant firework of West Indies. He was capable of destroying any bowling attack on his day. He was as comfortable driving balls through covers as he was smashing pulls and hooks to make the ball run for cover on the leg side. He made them chase leather all around the ground. Together, he and Haynes put up 16 one hundred opening stands. 10 of them were more than 200. In Hampshire he opened with Barry Richards of South Africa and they are still regarded as the finest opening pair in county cricket. He was a part of the team that won the county championship in 1973.
Greenidge was born on May1, 1951 in Black Press, St.Peter, Barbados. But he grew up in England and learnt to play on the soft and green pitches there. This influenced his style of batting to a large extent. He could have played for England too, as he had started playing with Hampshire, but his love for his country took him back to the Caribbean. Also it was the West Indies who picked him first in their national squad. He was quite inexperienced when he made his debut in 1974-75 when West Indies toured India. He made a century on debut in Bangalore. His most memorable series was in 1984 against England. He scored two double hundreds on the tour. It is also known as the ‘blackwash series’ as West Indies won 5-0. His double hundred in the second test at Lord’s was an unforgettable innings. England had made 286 in the first innings. West Indies managed 245. England declared at 300-9 in the second innings to set the visitors a target of 342 to win. The home side was the favourite and they started well, getting Desmond Haynes out cheaply but that was the only wicket they got in the innings. Larry Gomes was sent into bat. He supported Greenidge well and that was all he got a chance to do. Greenidge blasted away the English attack scoring 214 from 245 deliveries. He struck 29 fours and 2 sixes on his way to 214 not out. West Indies won by nine wickets at Lord’s.
He was awarded the Wisden Player of the year award in 1977. He averaged 44.72 in the 108 tests that he played amassing 19 centuries and 34 fifties and a total of 7558 runs. His one day career was amazing too. He scored 5134 runs in 128 one day internationals at an average of 45.03. Gordon Greenidge suffered from knee problems througout his career but it only made him more aggressive as a batsman. His reluctance to run up and down the pitch made him keep the fielders busy running, to fetch the ball from the boundary line. He played with fearlessness and élan and will always be remembered as a true entertainer of the cricket fans. His son Carl plays for Gloucestershire.
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