Gordon Greenidge was the most destructive and fearsome opening batsman in the world during West Indies’ domination in the 1980s. Known for his cavalier, attacking style and ferocious square cut, he set the tone with the bat at the top of the order in a similar way his fast bowling colleagues did with the ball: authoritatively and consistently.

Just as the battery of pacemen thrived in pairs, so did the West Indian batting. Greenidge and Desmond Haynes formed the most successful opening partnership in Test history, plundering 16 century stands in 148 innings and regularly building platforms to give the pace attack respite they barely needed.

Greenidge spent his late teenage years and formative professional career in England. He was an established Hampshire batsman before a Test debut in 1974/75, so it was no coincidence England became his favourite opposition. Six of Greenidge’s 19 Test centuries came against the country he could have played for.

One ton in 32 Test innings in Australia - in his last knock downunder - was a surprise given his ease against pace and bounce, some struggles in Asia less so (combined average in India and Pakistan 36.2).

ODI cricket came naturally to such an aggressive opening batsman - Greenidge featured in both West Indian World Cup victories in 1975 and 1979 - and some of his finest exploits came in the shorter form of the game. 33 of 125 career centuries were in List A cricket.

The ‘how many’ is as notable as the ‘how’, which reflects the impression this dashing Barbadian made on the game in a 22-year career: Greenidge is the 10th highest run-scorer in cricket history (first-class, List A and T20 combined).