To any cricket fan who watched the international version of the game during the 1970s and 1980s, the West Indies will always be synonymous with deadly fast bowling, electric fielding and brutal, stylish batting.
Before the Australians enjoyed their period of dominance, it was the West Indies who ruled the cricket roost, and their success was all the more remarkable given their limited resources.
For a start, the West Indies is not a nation, but a collection of nations that come together for the sport of cricket. None of the islands that make up the West Indies Cricket Board are wealthy, and the pool of talent from which the West Indies selectors have to pick is far smaller than any other major cricket nation. And yet, for two decades and more, the West Indies cricket team, led by Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and finally, Brian Lara, was the best in the world.
Their reputation has declined steadily since the mid 1990s, as the region’s lack of financial resources, administrative incompetence and waning interest in the sport led to the squandering of that great legacy, and it made international cricket poorer. But the good news is that the West Indies are back.
Under the captaincy of Jason Holder, the men in maroon caps have beaten England in a Test series, and at the time of writing are matching the tourists in the fifty over format. This is doubly significant as it shows that the West Indies resurgence, previously confined to Twenty20 cricket, is happening across all formats, and it also raises the possibility of the West Indies being serious contenders in this summer’s World Cup, which is due to be held in England.
Holder’s team are seventh favourites for the tournament, and can be backed at odds as big as 20/1 with some bookmakers, which might underestimate their chances. Although cricket fans watching the World Cup on Sky this summer might be anticipating the home team playing well, and a strong challenge from India, South Africa and Australia, the West Indies could surprise a few people.
Their chances could be boosted significantly if Chris Gayle decides that he wants to be part of the World Cup. The veteran may be past his peak, but he remains one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, and he would be supported by a number of young, talented batsmen such as Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmeyer and Holder himself. The West Indies bowling line-up is also full of pace and variety, with all-rounder Holder and Carlos Brathwaite giving them flexibility and a host of strong fast bowlers being supported by the wily spin of Devendra Bishoo.
A West Indies victory this summer would also be fitting, given that it was on English soil that they dominated the early editions of this tournament, winning the World Cup in 1975 and 1979 with a glorious combination of swashbuckling batting and exhilarating fast bowling. So many cricket fans, even those who aren’t from the West Indies, or who haven’t had a bet on the West Indies with one of the bookmakers on the BigBetBookmakers site, will be hoping that 2019 could be the year when West Indies cricket returns to centre stage.
