Viv Richards and the 10 Coolest Players in Cricket

Who are the top 10 coolest cricket players to have graced the sport with their presence?

So, the title of this list may give away the name of the man at the top of the pile, but who else can you guess?

Let's face it, the task of defining the man-made concept of "cool" is hard enough with the subject extremely subjective. Take a look at the Wikipedia description of coolness:

"

Coolness is an admired aesthetic of attitude, behaviour, comportment, appearance and style, influenced by and a product of the Zeitgeist. Because of the varied and changing connotations of cool, as well its subjective nature, the word has no single meaning.

It has associations of composure and self-control (cf. the OED definition) and often is used as an expression of admiration or approval. Although commonly regarded as slang, it is widely used among disparate social groups, and has endured in usage for generations.

"

Got it? Anyway, for the sake of this list, broadly speaking, I aimed for players with that bit of "X-factor" that sets them apart from their peers but also made them huge fan favourites.

10. Carl Hooper

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Tests: 102

Runs: 5,762

Average: 36.46

Watching the West Indies' Carl Hooper, seemingly with all the time in the world, playing his renowned cover drive was a pleasure for all cricket fans, and his sixes back over the heads of spinners was a treat too.

Nicknamed "Cool Carl" due to his laid-back style, some might say a Test average in the mid-30s was a slight disappointment for such a gifted strokemaker.

But seriously, nobody can wear a floppy-brimmed sun hat like the laid-back man from Guyana.

9. WG Grace

Tom Shaw/Getty Images

Tests: 22

Runs: 1,098

Average: 32.29

Walk around the Shoreditch area of London and you'll see a parade of bearded hipsters strutting their stuff...but they are already 100 years out of date!

The prototype model was the larger-than-life WG Grace who, as well as boasting world-class facial hair, became the first superstar of cricket and put the sport on the map back in the 19th century.

8. David Gower

Barry Stevens/Associated Press

Tests: 117

Runs: 8,231

Average: 44.25

In his playing days, David Gower's demeanour was one of someone about to attend a cocktail party or the theatre (an excuse he once used to leave a press conference early) rather than that as a top-level sportsman.

In fact, his easy-going attitude rubbed England skipper Graham Gooch up something chronic but the curly hair and, more importantly, exquisite stroke play that made batting seem so effortless, earn him a spot in this list.

7. David Boon

Adrian Murrell/Getty Images

Tests: 107

Runs: 7,422

Average: 43.65

David Boon enjoyed an impressive cricketing career that spanned 21 years and yielded over 23,000 first-class runs and 68 centuries.

However, the "Keg on Legs" is most famous for one incredible bout of airborne drinking that allegedly saw the Tasmanian drink 52 cans of beer on the flights between Australia and England ahead of the 1989 tour.

In the current age of ultra-professionalism, such a ludicrous act of alcohol abuse would earn him a suspension, but it gets Boon a place in this list.

6. Curtly Ambrose

MAX NASH/Associated Press

Tests: 98

Wickets: 405

Average: 20.99

Ask most of his many victims and they will describe Curtly Ambrose as intimidation personified on the pitch, and journalists who tried to interview him off it were often greeted with the line "Curtly talk to no man."

Of course like many players, the hard-edged act was part of a persona and post-playing career, the Antiguan has revealed a super laid-back personality and even plays bass in his spare time.

5. Robin Smith

John Gichigi/Getty Images

Tests: 62

Runs: 4,236

Average: 43.67

One of England's coolest-ever cricketers was Robin Smith who enjoyed his heyday in the late '80s/early '90s taking on the ferocious West Indies pace attack with the attitude of a cavalier.

Seemingly relishing the short-pitch duals, this bravado, combined with a sensational moustache made the South African-born batsman a hugely popular fan favourite.

4. Chris Gayle

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Tests: 103

Runs: 11,970

Average: 42.18

Chris Gayle comes across as one of the most laid-back sportsmen in the world both on and off the pitch, and he can dance as well.

Of course, with the bat in his hand, the Jamaican becomes a destructive force that has made him the world's premium Twenty20 exponent capable of hitting sixes for fun.

3. Denis Compton

FILES/Associated Press

Tests: 78

Runs: 5,807

Average: 50.06

Years before David Beckham was advertising every product under the sun, England's Denis Compton was the poster boy of his generation and earned the nickname "Brylcreem Boy."

But as well as breaking fair maiden's hearts with his good looks, the swashbuckling batsman broke records with the bat, once scoring 18 centuries in a single year (1947).

For a more in-depth account of the legendary run machine's career, check out this excellent article on ESPN Cricinfo.

2. MS Dhoni

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Tests: 88

Runs: 4,808

Average: 38.46

It is easy to forget that MS Dhoni has arguably the hardest job in India; that of leading the cricket side across all three formats under an intense and relentless media spotlight.

But "Captain Cool" seems to take pressure effortlessly in his stride rarely revealing any stress or anxiety at the game situation and is also one of the game's best finishers with the bat. He even has his own shot!

Off the pitch, the wicketkeeper-batsman keeps himself to himself, preferring to spend time working on his beloved motorbikes rather than courting publicity.

1. Viv Richards

Ross Setford/Getty Images

Tests: 121

Runs: 8,540

Average: 50.23

It was all about the walk to the crease—a confident but relaxed stride, bat hanging limply by his side as if out for a casual stroll, gum being chewed nonchalantly and just a cap for protection.

Then after taking guard, the bowler would be treated with disdain and invariably bludgeoned to the boundary. Yes, Viv Richards comes in at No. 1 on our list of coolest players.

The Antiguan radiates an air of confidence that he backed up with an avalanche of runs, including 114 first-class centuries and a Test average of over 50.

And even today, when he is in the commentary box, if Sir Viv speaks, people listen and hang onto every word the great man has to say.