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The West Indies cricket team represents a diverse group of mainly English-speaking countries in the Caribbean and is governed by Cricket West Indies (CWI). Players for both the men’s and women’s teams are selected from fifteen Caribbean nations and territories. As of September 2024, the team ranks seventh in Tests, tenth in ODIs, and third in T20Is in the ICC team rankings.

The West Indies dominated both Test and ODI cricket from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s. During this period, they have produced several legendary players, with 21 of them inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Throughout the years, the West Indies men’s cricket team have achieved significant success in international cricket. They have clinched the first two ICC Cricket World Cups (1975 and 1979), the ICC T20 World Cup twice (2012 and 2016), and the ICC Champions Trophy once (2004). In addition, they have also claimed the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in 2016. Notably, they ended as runners-up in the ODI World Cup in 1983, the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in 2004, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006.

The West Indies were the first team to win consecutive World Cup titles. They have hosted major tournaments including the 2007 Cricket World Cup, and the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, and co-hosted this year’s ICC T20 World Cup with the United States of America.

Member states and dependencies

The current West Indies team represents:

• Sovereign states
  •  Antigua and Barbuda
  •  Barbados
  •  Dominica
  •  Grenada
  •  Guyana
  •  Jamaica
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    •  Nevis
    •  Saint Kitts
  •  Saint Lucia
  •  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  •  Trinidad and Tobago
• Constituent country of the  Kingdom of the Netherlands
  •  Sint Maarten
• Overseas Territories of the  United Kingdom
  •  Anguilla
  •  British Virgin Islands
  •  Montserrat
• Territory of the  United States
  •  U.S. Virgin Islands

Affiliates in Cricket West Indies 

Cricket West Indies (CWI) governs the cricket associations of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Windward Islands. The Leeward Islands Cricket Association comprises associations from–

• Two sovereign states: Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Three British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat
• One U.S. territory: U.S. Virgin Islands
• One Dutch constituent country: Sint Maarten

Meanwhile, the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control includes associations from four sovereign states– Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, who were previously part of the former West Indies Federation, now have their own national teams.

The separate national teams in the Caribbean compete in the Regional Four-Day Competition, formerly known as the Busta Cup, Shell Shield, and Carib Beer Cup. Generally, international teams play against island teams as a warm-up fixture before facing the combined West Indies team. From 1928 to 2022, 385 players have represented West Indies, with 67.8% coming from Barbados (25.5%), Jamaica (21.6%), and Trinidad and Tobago (21.6%).

The member associations of Cricket West Indies are:

• Barbados Cricket Association (BCA)
• Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)
• Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA)
• Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA); itself composed of:
  • Anguilla Cricket Association
  • Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association
  • British Virgin Islands Cricket Association
  • Montserrat Cricket Association
  • Nevis Cricket Association (for the island of Nevis alone)
  • Saint Kitts Cricket Association (for the island of Saint Kitts alone)
  • Sint Maarten Cricket Association
  • United States Virgin Islands Cricket Association
• Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB)
• Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC); itself composed of:
  • Dominica Cricket Association
  • Grenada Cricket Association
  • Saint Lucia Cricket Association
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association

History

In 1926, the WICB became a member of the Imperial Cricket Conference, the sport’s international governing body. West Indies played their first official Test match in 1928, making them the fourth nation to earn Test status. In the 1930s, the West Indies represented the British colonies that would eventually form the West Indies Federation, as well as British Guiana.
West Indies played their final series before World War II against England in 1939. The break was extended until January 1948 when the MCC toured the West Indies.

In 1948, leg spinner Wilfred Ferguson achieved a personal milestone, as he became the first West Indian bowler to take ten wickets in a Test. He achieved the feat against England and finished with figures of 11/229. Later in 1948, Hines Johnson became the first West Indies fast bowler to take ten wickets in a Test match.

West Indies registered their first win at Lord’s after defeating England for the first time on June 29, 1950. The Caribbean nation completed a 3–1 series victory by winning at The Oval on August 16, 1950. The men’s team clinched the inaugural World Cup in 1975 and defended the title in the subsequent World Cup in 1979. By the late 1970s, the West Indies were recognized as unofficial world champions, until the 1980s.

The 1980s saw the West Indies team achieve a record of 11 consecutive Test victories in 1984 and deliver two 5–0 “blackwashes” against England. Meanwhile, the 1990s and 2000s marked a decline as the WICB’s failed to professionalize the sport and economic challenges in the Caribbean.

However, with the emergence of T20 cricket, the West Indies regained prominence, showcasing some big hitters like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and others. They clinched the 2012 World Twenty20, marking their first ICC world championship since 1979. They made history by winning the World Twenty20 for the second time in 2016 and thus became the first to win both men’s and women’s titles on the same day. Unfortunately, for the first time, the West Indies failed to qualify for a World Cup in 2023 after losing to Scotland in the Super Six stage of the qualifiers held in Zimbabwe.

Venues

Stadiums that have been used for at least one Test match

Queen’s Park Oval – Port of Spain, Trinidad: This stadium has hosted more Test matches than any other ground in the Caribbean, with its first Test match taking place in 1930.

Kensington Oval – Bridgetown, Barbados: Known as the ‘Mecca’ of West Indies cricket, it hosted the region’s first Test match in 1930. It has also hosted two ICC World finals– the 2007 Cricket World Cup Final and the 2010 World Twenty20 Final

Bourda – Georgetown, Guyana: The first Test match in Guyana was played in 1930. The stadium is only one below sea level and has a moat for flood prevention. It is notable for the pitch invasion during a 1999 ODI against Australia.

Sabina Park – Kingston, Jamaica: This is the venue for Garry Sobers’ world record of 365 not out. In this stadium, a Test match was abandoned in 1998 due to a dangerous pitch.

Antigua Recreation Ground – St John’s, Antigua: Three Test triple centuries scored here– Chris Gayle’s 317 in 2005, and Brian Lara’s world record scores of 375 in 1994 and 400 not out in 2004. The stadium was removed from the roster of grounds hosting international matches in 2006 but made a return in 2009.

Arnos Vale – Kingstown, St Vincent: Arnos vale, also known as Playing Fields, first hosted a Test match in 1997.

National Cricket Stadium – St George’s, Grenada: This stadium first hosted a Test in 2002.

Daren Sammy Cricket Ground – Gros Islet, St Lucia: Originally known as the Beauséjour Cricket Ground, it is the first stadium in the Caribbean to host a day-night cricket match. It was between the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Following West Indies’ triumph in the 2016 World Twenty20, the St. Lucian government renamed the venue after the then-captain Daren Sammy.

Warner Park Stadium – Basseterre, St Kitts: Hosted the first ODI on May 23, 2006, and the first Test on June 22, 2006.

Providence Stadium – Georgetown, Guyana: Hosted the first ODI on March 28, 2007; first Test on March 22, 2008

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium – North Sound, Antigua: First ODI on March 27, 2007; first Test on May 30, 2008

Windsor Park Stadium – Roseau, Dominica: Opened in October 2007, this stadium hosted the first Test on July 6, 2011; first ODI on July 26, 2009

ODI and T20I grounds

1. Albion Sports Complex, Albion, Guyana
2. Mindoo Phillip Park, Castries, Saint Lucia
3. Coolidge Cricket Ground, Osbourn, Antigua and Barbuda
4. Brian Lara Stadium, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago

Honours

• Cricket World Cup:
  • Champions (2): 1975, 1979
  • Runners-up (1): 1983
• T20 World Cup:
  • Champions (2): 2012, 2016
• Champions Trophy:
  • Champions (1): 2004
  • Runners-up (2): 1998, 2006

West Indies Women’s cricket team

The West Indies women’s cricket team, representing fifteen nations and territories, is organized by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). The WICB is a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The women’s team competed separately as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in the inaugural 1973 Women’s World Cup. Meanwhile, the combined West Indies team made its Test debut in 1976 and played its first ODI in 1979.

The women’s team competes in the ICC Women’s Championship, the top-tier women’s cricket tournament. They have also participated in five out of ten editions of the ICC Women’s World Cup. They reached the World Cup final for the first time in 2013, only to finish as runners-up to Australia. At the 2022 Women’s World Cup, the team advanced to the semifinals.

Speaking of their achievements in T20I, they reached the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2018. They clinched their maiden title at the 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

History 

Test History

West Indies women played their inaugural Test series against Australia at home in 1975–76, with both matches ending in draws. The team toured India for a six-Test series during the 1976-77 season. They lost the fourth Test but won the sixth and leveled the series, with the remaining matches resulting in draws. 

In their third test series they struggled against England in 1979 they lost two Tests and drew one. After a 24-year hiatus, the Windies resumed Test cricket in 2003-04 with a one-off match against Pakistan, which ended in a draw.

One-Day International History

The West Indies women’s team competed separately as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in the first Women’s World Cup in 1973.Three players joined an International XI, which finished fourth while Jamaica and Trinidad finished sixth and fifth, respectively. The combined West Indies team played its first ODIs against England during a tour in 1979.

The West Indies team finished seventh in their second World Cup appearance in 1993. During the 1997–98 World Cup, they finished ninth, winning only one match. Meanwhile, the women’s team finished second in the International Women’s Cricket Council Trophy in 2003, winning four out of five matches. In the 2004–05 World Cup, the team finished fifth, with two wins, three losses, one no result, and one abandoned match.  

Records

 Test Cricket

• Highest Team Total: 440 against Pakistan on March 15, 2004, at National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan.
• Highest Individual Innings: 118 by Nadine George against Pakistan on March 15, 2004, at National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan.
• Best Innings Bowling: 5/48 by Vivalyn Latty-Scott against Australia on May 7, 1976, at Montego Bay, Jamaica.
• Best Match Bowling: 5/26 by Peggy Fairweather against India on November 27, 1976, at Jammu, India.

ODI Cricket

• Highest Team Total: 368/8 against Sri Lanka on February 3, 2013, at Mumbai, India.
• Highest Individual Innings: 171 by Stafanie Taylor against Sri Lanka on February 3, 2013, at Mumbai, India.
• Best Innings Bowling: 5/36 by Cherry-Ann Singh against Ireland on July 29, 1993, at Dorking, England.

T20I Cricket

• Highest Team Total: 191/4 against the Netherlands on October 16, 2010, at Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Honours

• Women’s World Cup: Runners-up in 2013
• Women’s T20 World Cup: Champions in 2016