The look is familiar. So is the walk and the assertiveness. The similarities end there. Mali Richards, son of Sir Isaacs Vivian Alexander Richards, the West Indies cricketing legend, is still learning the nuances of the game.One such quest has brought him to India, alongwith a bunch of 10 Englishmen. ‘‘I belong to Oxford University Centre of Cricketing Excellence and I’ve come here to learn to play spin bowling,’’ says the 5’11 inches tall lad of his 10-day long training at the Cricket Club of India.‘‘The weather in England is just not great these days so we decided to use the great conditions here in India,’’ adds Mali, who is a second-year student of tourism management at Oxford. Besides playing cricket in Mumbai, Mali wants to seek out Aishwarya Rai. ‘‘I have seen Bollywood films in England,’’ he says and picks Shahrukh Khan among his favourite.Born in Taunton when his father was still making life miserable for bowlers, Mali grew up in Antigua before shifting to England. ‘‘It’s the place where my father spent many years and he wanted me to stay there,’’ says the 21-year-old of his stay in England. But that hasn’t clouded his thoughts on which country he will represent. ‘‘Of course, West Indies,’’ he replies.When Viv Richards hit it, it stayed hit. It appeared so simple. So is the advice given to the junior. ‘‘I take it easy. My father, who taught me the basics of cricket, told me that batting is a simple thing. Just watch the ball and hit it. It is that simple, don’t complicate it.’’ Bowlers needn’t worry yet. Because Mali, a left-handed bat and left-arm medium-pacer has played only two first class matches with only five runs to his name.Mali indulges in tennis, rugby and football too but his priorities lie in cricket. ‘‘That’s the game close to my heart.’’ Probably it has to with the fact that he had such a thrilling and intimate role model. ‘‘My father is my favourite player, though I did not see him play much. But I’ve watched his tapes and I’m sure he was brilliant.’’‘Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara are among his current favourites. ‘‘I feel if I can achieve half of what they have done, I’ll feel satisfied,’’ is the honest confession.He is not willing to talk about the axing of Lara and other senior players from the West Indies squad over a sponsorship row. ‘‘I don’t know much about current row and I feel it is really unfortunate. But if you look at it the other way, it gives others a chance,’’ he opines.Vivian Richards came to India, made his Test debut and a cricketing great was born. Three decades later, another Richards is on a learning mission. Will history repeat itself?
