The West Indies cricket team is popularly known as The Windies and is the national cricket team of the country. This cricket team is represented by the sporting confederation of English speaking Caribbean countries. Generally the cricketing nations use their own national flags for representing their country. But since West Indies represents a number of independent and dependent states, there is no natural choice of the emblem. Therefore the West Indies Cricket Board has developed an insignia showing a palm tree and cricket stumps on a small sunny island. This insignia on a maroon background makes up the West Indian flag.
The West Indies Cricket team played its first test in 1928, and ever since has been one of the better sides in world cricket. From winning the first World Cup to West Indian Brian Lara being the only cricketer in history to get a score of 400 in international cricket, West Indies cricket has a lot to boast about.
History
After obtaining Test status in 1928, West Indies played their first Test against England the same year at the Lord’s cricket ground. They were a very dominating force in world cricket and with time their performance just kept getting better and better. In the mid 1970s and 1980s West Indies emerged as the best team in the world, in both forms of the game. However the team showed signs of decline in the late 1990s and unfortunately, the slump still continues.
Performance
The West Indies Cricket team gained immense popularity in the 1960s and with some immensely talented players in the side, the team kept on emerging victories on occasions after occasions. The team were especially strong in the 1980s when they won 11 consecutive tests. However West Indian cricket has shown a sharp decline in the 1990s and 2000s and the team has indeed lost its old glory. This is largely due to the economic crunch in the West Indies and also due to lack of interest in the game in the Caribbean.
Players
West Indies have always boated of having some of the greatest cricketers in the world. From the flamboyant Viv Richards, to the devastating Courtney Walsh and of course current hero Brian Lara, the team has never had a dearth of talent. In the current squad Brian Lara is the best player. He is even considered one of the best in the world and is capable of single handedly guiding the team to victory on his day. That apart, the team also has other brilliant batsman like Ramnaresh sarwan, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Though the bowling department is a little weak, West Indies still have some talented bowlers like Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best and Corey Collymore.
With some hard work and correct guidance, West Indies can surely emerge once again as one of the leading cricket teams in the world. Cricketscorelive.com brings to you the West Indies Cricket Team Profile and other team profiles from the world over.
West Indies Cricket Team’s Recent Performances
The West Indies Cricket team’s recent performances have been of mixed standards. While they fared quite badly against New Zealand, they dominated Zimbabwe and had a mixed series against India.
India’s Tour of West Indies, May-June, 2006
India played five ODIs and four Tests in West Indies earlier this year. While West Indies were the comprehensive winners of the ODI series, winning it 4-1, they lost the Test series to India 1-0.
Zimbabwe’s Tour of West Indies, April-May, 2006
Zimbabwe toured West Indies in April 2006 and played seven ODIs. West Indies completely overshadowed the Zimbabweans and won every match in the series. It must however be considered that Zimbabwe were playing with a weak team, and without most of its senior players.
Tour of New Zealand, February-March 2006
West Indies toured New Zealand in early 2006. They played a Twenty20 game, five ODIs and three Tests. While the Twenty20 match was tied, West Indies lost four of the five ODIs and two of the three Tests and drew one test.
Considering the fact that the West Indian team has not performed too well in the recent past, it is encouraging to see the team performing so well in ODIs. With the World Cup coming up, West Indies would surely like to keep improving their performances and work the home advantage in their favor.
Cricketscorelive.com brings to you the West Indies Cricket Team’s Recent Performances and the recent performances of other teams.
West Indies Players to Watch Out For
With World Cup 2007 to be held in the West Indies, the West Indian side will definitely fancy their chances of winning the cup for the third time. There are a number of West Indies players to watch out for in the current squad. Listed below are some of the most exciting West Indies players:
Brian Lara
Probably the finest batsman, along with Sachin Tendulkar, in the world today, Brian Lara is West Indies’ captain courageous. From being the only player in the history of cricket to score 400 runs in an international match to being the only rock solid member of the side for many years, Brian Lara has done it all, and with the World Cup happening in his country this time, he would be one of the most watched out players of the tournament.
Chris Gayle
The mighty West Indian giant, Chris Gayle is a big man with a big heart and even bigger cricketing genius. He is am impulsive stroke player and is capable of hitting the ball to all corners of the ground. That apart, he is also a very useful spin bowler. With experience and talent in his kitty, Chris Gayle is definitely a West Indies player to watch out for.
Dwayne Bravo
As one of the few genuine all-rounders in the West Indian cricket team, Dwayne Bravo is an exciting player to watch out for. He is a handy lower order batsman and also a very effective fast bowler. So with his all-round talent, Dwayne Bravo is surely a West Indies player to watch out for.
Corey Collymore
A promising fast bowler, Corey Collymore has played almost 70 ODIs for West Indies and has been successful as well. Though not exactly the best of bowlers in the world today, Corey Collymore is definitely one of the better players in the West Indies team and a player to watch out for.
Cricketscorelive.com provides information on the West Indies Players to Watch Out For, and other exciting players around the world.
West Indies Team World Cup History
The West Indies team’s World cup history is one of the most envious in the world. They have the honor of being the first country to win the coveted tournament. However, though they clinched the opening edition of the World cup and the second one as well, they have not been able to win the tournament again.
* In the 1975 World Cup, West Indies were the overwhelming favorites and so it was hardly a surprise that they won the tournament. The West Indian team won the World Cup in 1975 by defeating Australia in the finals, under the captaincy of Clive Lloyd.
* West Indies almost carried the good form of the 1975 World Cup into the 1979 World Cup and won the championship consecutively for the second time. They were once again the best team in the tournament and beat England by 92 runs in the final. Clive Lloyd, the winning captain lifted the trophy.
* West Indies almost succeeded in making a clean sweep for the third time in the 1983 World Cup, but were beaten by underdogs India in the final.
* After three glorious world Cups, West Indies disappointed everyone in the 1987 World Cup by not even managing to qualify for the semifinals.
* The 1992 World Cup was yet another disappointment for West Indies and they once again failed to qualify for the semis.
* In the 1996 World Cup, West Indies bettered their performance slightly and managed to reach the semifinals, where they were defeated by Australia.
* West Indies once again put up a poor show in the 1999 World Cup and had a first round exit after failing to qualify for the super six stage.
* The 2003 World Cup was no better with West Indies making a round exit yet again.
Though the West Indies have not been able to perform too well in the past few World Cups, they would surely look to go into world Cup 2007 with a positive set of mind. They would have the home advantage, and that is a huge boost.
Cricketscorelive.com provides information on the West Indies Team World Cup History and the World Cup history of other teams.
West Indies Team’s Chances in the 2007 World Cup
The West Indies team’s chances in the 2007 World Cup look to be quite bright. Though the team has not been performing too well in the recent past, the advantage of playing the tournament at home will be a major boost for the side.
The last few World Cups have been quite disastrous for the West Indians. However, they have shown some good form in the recent ODIs played at home against India and Zimbabwe. This is a very encouraging sign. If they can continue with their ODI performance, then it will work wonders for them in the World Cup.
World Cup 2007 may be the last World Cup for many players including the great Brian Lara, who would surely like to finish it off with some happy memories. So with this as inspiration, Brian Lara and company would surely look to spoil the party for their opponents.
Therefore, it can be said quite assertively that West Indies will start the tournament as one of the favorites. If West Indies can indeed pull of a win, then it will be a grand surprise for cricket lovers all over the world who have waited to see the true West Indian cricketing genius for many years now.
Cricketscorelive.com provides information on the West Indies Team’s Chances in the 2007 World Cup and chances of other teams in the World Cup.