Clive Lloyd: A cricketer like no other

Few batsmen were more a model or epitome of consistency as a skipper as Clive Lloyd. This was illustrated in his averaging 79.63 in India in 1974-75 ,including match winning innings of 163  and 242 n.o,scoring 469 runs at 46.9 in Australia in 1975-76,averaging over 70 in Australia in 1979-80,including a spectacular 121 at Adelaide, averaging over 40 in England in 1980,averaging  over 76 at home agaisn England in 1981averaging over 55 in Australia in 1981-82,averaging over 82 in India in 1983-84,averaging over 66 at home agaisnt India in 1983,averaging over 66 in England in 1984 and averaging over 50 in Australia in 1984-85.Remarkable that he averaged over 0 in 3 consecutive series in Australia.

Lloyd's best test achievements were his topping averages facing Lillee and Thomson at their fastest in 1975-76,scoring 151 out of 421v Pakistan at Barbados in 1977,  match-winning 121 at Adelaide making a spectacular return to form in 1980,a spectacular unbeaten 161 tat won game at Calcutta in 1983-84, a mtach-winning unbeaten 77 at Adelaide in 1982 and match-saving 143 at Trinidad  in 1983 against India.It is notable that when West Indies cricket was at the top of the pedestal in 1983-1985,Lloyd overshadowed  even Viv Richards in series at home and away against India and Australia and in England.,In 1981 he won man of the series award agaisnt England, when Viv was batting at his best.In 1979 at home agaisnt Australia in a WSC supertest his 197 n.o in dynamic manner gave a complete  twist and turn to win game agaisnt Australia .

Lloyd's 102 in the 1975 world cup final,is arguably the best ever innings in a world cup and 5 best ODI knocks ever.In the manner of a tiger attacking and devouring it's prey.Lloyd mercilessly crushed the Australian attack.Driving,cutting,hooking or pulling,that day Lloyd was manifestation of supreme skill of the game of cricket.Rarely had cricket witnessed such a scintillating batting exhibition.which even Gary Sobers may not have emulated.Above all it won West Indies the world cup title.Loyd was also consistency personified i the ODI triangular tournament in Australia in 3 editions.