The 1976 series

Richards is out at The Oval - but only after scoring 291

England skipper Tony Greig began the summer by declaring that he had the players to make West Indies "grovel" but ended it by eating humble pie.

This was the series which established Viv Richards as the game's premier batsman as he amassed 829 runs despite only playing in four of the five Tests.

He began with a superlative 232 at Trent Bridge to lead West Indies to 494 all out. David Steele defied their pace attack to make 106 as England replied with 332 before Richards added another 63 as West Indies made 176 for five declared in their second innings.

The match ended in a draw with the home side on 156 for two, with John Edrich 76 not out.

Edrich - Mixed fortunes against the West Indies pacemen

Richards was unfit for the second Test at Lord's, which again ended in a draw after a third day wash-out. Veteran Brian Close made a typically brave 60 in England's first innings 250, with paceman Andy Roberts taking five for 60.

The home side seized the initiative by dismissing the tourists for 182 with Derek Underwood (five for 39) and John Snow (four for 68) causing the damage.

The weather frustrated England, who were all out for 254 in their second innings on the final day - Roberts collecting another five-wicket haul -but Roy Fredericks had time to hammer an exhilarating 138 before the end came with West Indies 241 for six.

Flying start

Old Trafford was the venue for the third Test and newcomer Mike Selvey gave England a flying start with three early wickets, including Richards who was bowled for four, as West Indies slumped to 26 for four. Gordon Greenidge remained, however, and his powerful strokeplay carried him to 134 in a total of 211.

Edrich and Close were given a working over by the West Indies pace attack in the final session and England were skittled for just 71 on the second day with Jamaican Michael Holding surging to the wicket to take five for 17.

Greenidge (101) and Richards (135) put the tourists in total in command and their declaration on 411 for five was followed by another England collapse.

Roberts claimed six victims as they were dismissed for 126 to give West Indies victory by 425 runs.

Fredericks - Part of a prolific opening partnership

Greenidge (115) and Fredericks (109) began the fourth Test at Leeds with an astonishing assault on the home attack as West Indies ended the first day on 437 for nine. They added another 11 on the following morning and quickly reduced England to 80 for four.

This time, however, the home side showed the resolve which had been lacking at Old Trafford as Greig and Alan Knott put on 152 for the sixth wicket with both making 116 in England's total of 387.

Bob Willis then took five for 42 as West Indies were bowled out for 196, giving England a very 'gettable' target of 260 for victory. Greig batted well again for 76 but Roberts, Holding and Wayne Daniel would not be denied and each took three wickets as England were dismissed for 204 to lose a thrilling match by 55 runs.

The teams arrived back in London to find a parched brown outfield at The Oval and England's fielders covered just about every inch of it as Richards helped himself to 291.

Derek Underwood toiled away for 60.5 overs but it was captain Greig who finally removed Richards as the tourists amassed 687 for eight declared.

Holding - Fast, hostile and accurate

Dennis Amiss justified his recall with 203 for England, who replied with 435 despite a sustained spell of straight, hostile fast bowling from Holding which earned him figures of eight for 92.

Greenidge and Fredericks added 182 in just 32 overs to enable Clive Lloyd to declare before the end of the fourth day, which England finished on 43 for no wicket.

But their hopes of surviving for a draw evaporated on the final day as Holding collected another six wickets for match figures of 14 for 149. He trapped last man Willis lbw for nought to dismiss England for 203 and give his side victory by 231 runs.

There was no respite for England in the three one-day internationals as West Indies completed a clean sweep.

Richards scored 119 not out in a six-wicket win at Scarborough, 97 in a 36-run victory at Lord's, and although he was out for a duck at Edgbaston, Vanburn Holder took five for 50 to see them home by 50 runs.