#OTD in 1984: Sir Viv Richards slammed the then highest individual score in ODIs

On this day in 1984, Sir Viv Richards slammed the England bowlers to register the then highest individual score of 189* in the ODI format. It is considered to be one of the greatest-ever innings played in the ODI format to date.

It all transpired in the 1st ODI of the West Indies tour of England in 1984. Ahead of this series, West Indies were a dominant force in this format, with 5-0 win in an away series against India and beating Australia 3-1 in a home series as well. On the other hand, England secured victory over New Zealand 2-1, and drew with Pakistan 1-1.

Clive Lloyd elected to bat first on a sunny morning at Manchester. Both the openers, Gordon Greenidge (9) and Desmond Haynes (1), were dismissed in quick succession. Coming at number three, Richie Richardson also couldn't display enough patience as he was dismissed for 6 off 24 deliveries, with the team stuttering at 43/3. 

Unaffected by the wickets at the other end, Sir Vivian Richards came to the party and started his onslaught on the bowlers. With 102/7, the Caribbean team was on the verge of getting dismissed for a below-par score on a batting-friendly surface. 

Richards was unbeaten on 65, with his fearless attitude and his trademark of chewing gum, which was enough to send the shivers down the bowler's spine. He got the able support from the number nine, Eldine Baptiste. 

He reached his seventh ODI hundred off 112 deliveries with an on-drive against his Somerset teammate Sir Ian Botham. Thereafter, he cut loose and put the opposition bowlers under pressure with his attacking mindset and hit shots all over the park. 

Richards added 59 with Eldine Baptiste (26) for the eighth wicket, which was followed by the wicket of Joel Garner. However, Michael Holding displayed composure to remain and stayed at the crease until the end. 

Richards scored three boundaries in the last over to end on 189* off 170, with 21 fours and five sixes. In this pursuit, he helped the team to score 272 in 55 overs. The 10th wicket produced a remarkable stand of 106*, with 93 of them coming from the willow of Richards. 

The swashbuckling batter broke his own record of 153*, which he scored against Australia in 1979 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

In reply, the home team was dismissed for a score of 168 and lost by 104 runs. Allan Lamb was the top scorer for the team with 75 off 89 balls. Garner was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps, and Richards contributed with the ball as well to take two wickets. 

The presence of Richards in the line-up helped West Indies to rule ODI cricket with unbeaten performances until 1987. He last featured in an ODI fixture in 1991 and finished with 6721 runs in 187 matches, at an average of 47, with 11 centuries. 

Although many knocks have come from other batters to date, none have been able to match the mayhem and the impact Sir Viv Richards displayed on this date in 1984.