Sir Vivian Richards was one of the greatest batsmen in the history of Test cricket, scoring 8540 runs at an average of 50.23 in 121 Test matches for West Indies between 1974 and 1991.

It was the manner in which he batted, never with a helmet, always with a style that bordered on a swagger and a refusal to be intimidated by any bowler, that caught the eye as much as his powerful strokeplay.

Some of his finest innings were played on the compact old Recreation ground of St John’s in his native Antigua, sited near the prison where his father was a warder.

Richards became chairman of West Indies cricket selectors and now, at the age of 56, lives in the northwest of the island. He has an interest in 11 properties for sale in the very English-named area of Piccadilly – “the banks are still willing to help despite the way things are going” – as well as commentating on the game, playing golf and he is a director of the Stanford Twenty20 tournaments held on the island.

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He will attending the $20m winner-takes-all match between Sir Allen Stanford’s side and England on November 1. Revered throughout Antigua, he drives a car with darkened windows but the number plate is a giveaway: 29100, commemorating his highest Test score of 291 against England at the Oval in 1976.

In an interview ahead of England’s visit to Antigua for the match on what is Independence Day on the island, Richards sat in the stand at the Stanford ground next to the airport and spoke of his ten favourite places on this Leeward island renowned for its yachting, rainforests – and, of course, cricket.

1. The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St George

“I have to include this and am honoured the new Test ground was named after me, although some of the new grounds have been built for mass attendances and there is a problem with that when prices are set too high by the International Cricket Council, which we saw during the World Cup. West Indies have not been successful recently, people are disappointed, and that has affected attendances.”

2. Fort St James, the military installation north of St John’s, near Fort Bay Beach

“My childhood home was there, it was my local beach when I was a boy and my mother, Gretel, still lives there. Sometimes, when I have been away from the island, I take the scenic route to have another look at it.”

3. Shirley Heights, overlooking Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour

“Great views of the southern coast, barbecues and a steel band on Sundays, and a sense of how the island was protected in the 18th century.”

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