Sports
Keacy Carty Surpasses Viv Richards as West Indies’ ODI Record Breaker
With a third century in just 10 days, the rising star rewrites Caribbean cricket history, breaking a record once held by the legendary Sir Viv Richards
In a performance that blended grit, elegance, and sheer consistency, Keacy Carty has etched his name in West Indies cricket folklore by becoming the fastest West Indian to reach 1,400 runs in One Day Internationals. The 27-year-old broke a record that stood for over five decades—surpassing none other than the great Sir Viv Richards.
Carty’s most recent milestone came during the second ODI against England at Cardiff, where he delivered a composed yet commanding 103 off 105 balls. Entering the crease early after the loss of teenage opener Jewel Andrew, Carty anchored the innings with maturity beyond his years. Together with Brandon King, he built a solid 141-run partnership, accelerating effectively through the middle overs before being stumped by Jos Buttler.
This knock marked Carty’s third century in just 10 days—following up on his stunning 102 and 170 against Ireland—and took his tally to 1,403 runs in just 33 ODI innings. The landmark makes him the highest run-scorer among West Indies players at this stage of their careers, surpassing Sir Viv Richards’ 1,399 and leaving Gordon Greenidge’s 1,397 in the rear-view mirror.
What sets Carty apart isn’t just his volume of runs, but his consistency. He now averages 50.10 in ODIs, with four centuries and a growing reputation as one of the most dependable top-order batters in the Caribbean setup.
Globally, Carty’s 1,403 runs place him 14th on the all-time list of most ODI runs after 33 innings—a list topped by India’s Shubman Gill, who amassed 1,739 runs. Among players debuting since 2020, Carty leads the pack, ahead of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Ireland’s Harry Tector.
While critics have pointed to his relatively modest strike rate of 82.72, Carty’s supporters highlight his ability to adapt, anchor, and build an innings—qualities that form the backbone of any successful ODI side.
More than just numbers, though, Carty’s rise signals a potential turning point for West Indies cricket. In a team hungry for resurgence and stability in the 50-over format, he represents a beacon of hope—proving that records, even those once deemed untouchable, are still meant to be broken.
As Carty continues this golden run of form, fans and pundits alike are beginning to wonder: could this be the beginning of a new legacy in Caribbean cricket?