ENGLAND'S TOUR starts with a fortnight's training in Antigua, where they will be the first to use the island's new Caribbean Cricket Centre, part of the Clubs International network owned by a family with the marvellously appropriate name of Gobat.

One of the prime movers behind the centre, which has two pitches and six grass nets, is Antigua's most famous son, Vivian Richards. I caught up with him during a one-night visit to London in November, and asked how the Master Blaster spends his time these days.

`I've been heavily involved as an advisor for the new centre,' said Viv in that familiar, rich voice. Fit and broad-shouldered as ever, he looks as if he's been putting in an hour or two in the new nets. `We've been talking about a centre like this for some time, and the finishing touches are now being done. The England team will be the first ones in, which will be a wonderful baptism.

`Barbados and places like that have always had facilities to cater for cricket tours. Now Antigua has too, and we're hoping this will encourage clubs from England and elsewhere to come out.'

And will England be given a warm welcome, with a few local fast bowlers testing the reflexes? `Naw,' he laughs, `we'll look after them well.'

 Richards retired from Test cricket in 1991, with 121 caps and 8540 runs under his belt, which are both still West Indies records. There was talk of a move into politics, but it hasn't happened – yet. `I'm enjoying doing this and other things at home. Because of cricket I haven't spent enough time in Antigua, so now I can be with my wife Miriam and our children [Mali and Matara]. They're all in good nick. As for politics, I'll take a back seat at the moment – there's still time for that. I'm only 45. The same goes for getting involved with the West Indies team again. I feel that someday, when the time is right, I'll be back to help out in some capacity.

`I'm still playing the odd game of cricket, usually in special seniors tournaments. I'm hoping that we can get one going now at the centre in Antigua. The boundaries are nice and short, so we won't need to do much running – it's ideal for us older folks!' And with that he laughs, throwing back the close-cropped head and giving a glint of ear-stud. Elderly bowlers may be well advised to develop a mystery injury if their club tours Antigua.

Viv was last seen on an English (or Welsh) field in 1993, when he helped Glamorgan to the Sunday League title. `I really enjoyed my time with Glamorgan, and I was ever so pleased when they won the Championship,' he said. `Funnily enough it was a Welshman who told me they'd won. It's strange how things happen like that – I lived in Cardiff when I was playing there, and now Liam Botham, Ian's son who's also my godson, is playing rugby for Cardiff. There must be something in that Botham- Richards thing. I get over here quite a lot and Mr Botham is obviously one of the first people I look up. Not this time though – I'm only here for a day and there wouldn't be time to recover!'

The day we spoke West Indies were up against it in Peshawar. `I think we are somewhat on our knees there,' he rued. `But maybe bad light will help – it's saved Pakistan a few times out there.' It didn't this time, and Pakistan won by an innings – a defeat which added to the pressure on West Indies' captain, Courtney Walsh. `I think Courtney has been a good interim captain,' said Richards, `but I hope he doesn't go on too long.'

And his successor? `In terms of experience and as a high-profile player Brian Lara would be the expected choice. At first I thought that Brian would be the man capable of handling the situation, but then I started to have a little doubt, because of these reports we keep hearing about tension in the team. You see, all the team has to look up to the captain, and you need someone with reasonable control, who the others are happy to follow. But there is time for him to regroup and assess his position. Captaining West Indies is different to any other Test side, because the players are from different countries – we even cook differently and so on. This sort of thing doesn't affect other teams.'

Viv on Lara: `At first I thought that Brian would be the man capable of handling the situation, but then I started to have a little doubt, because of these reports we keep hearing about tension in the team'

Finally, the cast list for the series against England. ` Curtly Ambrose and Courtney will go on for a little while, but we haven't got that depth of fast bowling any more. Franklyn Rose had a good start in Test cricket, but he didn't seem to get into the side in Pakistan at first. I haven't seen a great deal of the fringe players really. The batting obviously isn't as strong as it was, and it is time that some youngsters came through.'

But where will they come from? A lot is written about the influence on young West Indians of American television, with its diet of baseball and basketball spectaculars. Does this scare off potential cricketers? `I don't really go along with that. Those sports have always been there, and we produced cricketers in the past. I think it's a sign of a healthy society that so many are playing sport – any sport. But the chances of representing West Indies at cricket are far higher than getting into NBA basketball, so gradually I think the youngsters will realise that cricket is what they should be doing! You have to provide them with places where they can develop their skills, and that's what we're doing now.'

And the big question – who's going to win? `I think it will be close. England are stronger than they were, and West Indies not so strong as before. But I still think West Indies will win, maybe 2–0 or 2–1. You wouldn't really expect me to say anything else, would you?'

`I'll be back': Richards says he will return to West Indian cricket `Someday, when the time is right'

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd