SIR VIVIAN Richards, while no longer an integral part of West Indies cricket, will still be playing a big part in ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007.

Viv, the 'Master Blaster', is now the face of Johnnie Walker's 'Know your boundaries' campaign, which is geared at encouraging fans of cricket at this year's World Cup to drink responsibly.

In an interview with The Gleaner, Sir Viv explained the importance of the campaign and why he, as one of the legends of West Indies cricket, wanted to be a part of it.

Happy to do

"It is a programme that I am pretty happy to do because of the volume of people we are going to have in the weeks coming and everyone will be looking forward to some of the best parties this region has ever had.

"So we want to spread the message of responsibility and responsible drinking," said Richards.

While Johnnie Walker is known for keeping parties going, liquor is not something synonymous with sport, but despite this, Richards thinks the mix is a good one because of the social element in cricket.

"There are other pro-jects but I think we (Johnnie Walker and Viv Richards) can have agood partnership. I felt very comfortable when they approached me and Johnnie Walker has been an international sponsor of so many events, so I am happy to be in cricket with them at this stage," said Richards.

- P.-A. W.