West Indies cricket team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
West Indies

Nickname(s)	Windies
Association	Cricket West Indies
Personnel
Test captain	Kraigg Brathwaite
One Day captain	Shai Hope
T20I captain	Rovman Powell
Test coach	Andre Coley
History
Test status acquired	1928 (97 years ago) (1928)
Hong Kong Sixes wins	1
International Cricket Council
ICC status	Full Member (1926)
ICC region	Americas
ICC Rankings Current Best-ever Test 8th 1st (1 January 1964) ODI 10th 1st (1 June 1981) T20I 3rd 1st (10 January 2016)
Tests
First Test	v.  England at Lord's, London; 23–26 June 1928
Last Test	v.  South Africa at Providence Stadium, Providence; 15–17 August 2024
Tests Played Won/Lost Total 580 183/214 (182 draws, 1 tie) This year 7 1/5 (1 draw)
World Test Championship appearances	2 (first in 2021)
Best result	8th place (2021, 2023)
One Day Internationals
First ODI	v.  England at Headingley, Leeds; 5 September 1973
Last ODI	v.  England at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown; 6 November 2024
ODIs Played Won/Lost Total 879 423/415 (11 ties, 30 no results) This year 9 3/6 (0 ties, 0 no results)
World Cup appearances	12 (first in 1975)
Best result	Champions (1975, 1979)
World Cup Qualifier appearances	2 (first in 2018)
Best result	Runners-up (2018)
Twenty20 Internationals
First T20I	v.  New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland; 16 February 2006
Last T20I	v.  England at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet; 17 November 2024
T20Is Played Won/Lost Total 213 93/106 (3 ties, 11 no results) This year 24 14/9 (0 ties, 1 no result)
T20 World Cup appearances	8 (first in 2007)
Best result	Champions (2012, 2016)
Test kit ODI kit T20I kit
As of 17 November 2024

The West Indies cricket team, also known as The Windies, is a men's cricket team. It represents many English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean region. Cricket West Indies manages the team. Players are chosen from fifteen different Caribbean nations and territories. As of 2024, the West Indies team is ranked eighth in Test cricket, tenth in ODIs, and third in T20Is by the ICC.

From the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, the West Indies team was the best in the world. They were strong in both Test cricket and One Day International cricket. Many amazing cricketers from the West Indies are in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. There are 21 of them!

The West Indies have won the Cricket World Cup twice (in 1975 and 1979). They also won the ICC T20 World Cup twice (in 2012 and 2016). They won the ICC Champions Trophy once (2004) and the Under 19 Cricket World Cup once (2016). They were runners-up in the Cricket World Cup (1983) and the Champions Trophy (2006). The West Indies were the first team to win back-to-back World Cups. They played in three World Cup finals in a row (1975, 1979, and 1983).

The West Indies have hosted big cricket events. They hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. They also co-hosted the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup with the United States.

Countries and Territories in the Team

The West Indies cricket team is made up of players from many different places. These include independent countries and other territories.

• Independent Countries:
  •  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
• Parts of the Netherlands:
  •  Sint Maarten
• British Overseas Territories:
  •  Anguilla
  •  British Virgin Islands
  •  Montserrat
• U.S. Territory:
  •  U.S. Virgin Islands

These places are grouped into smaller cricket teams. For example, the Leeward Islands team includes Antigua and Barbuda, Nevis, Saint Kitts, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and U.S. Virgin Islands. The Windward Islands team includes Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Cricket West Indies Members

Map of Cricket West Indies' members and affiliates. Full members are in bold, sub-members are in normal text, and affiliates in italics.

Cricket West Indies is the main group that runs the team. It has six main cricket associations:

• Barbados
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Leeward Islands
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Windward Islands

The Leeward Islands Association includes several smaller cricket groups. These are from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Sint Maarten. The Windward Islands Association includes Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Some other British territories like the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands have their own teams.

The islands also have their own national teams. These teams play in local competitions like the Regional Four Day Competition. Sometimes, international teams play against these island teams before facing the main West Indies team.

About 6 million people live in all these countries and territories combined. This is similar to the populations of countries like New Zealand and Ireland. Many West Indies players have come from Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

History of West Indies Cricket

Learie Constantine was one of the first great West Indian players in the 1920s and 1930s.

The West Indies cricket team started playing in the 1890s. They played against visiting English teams. In 1926, the West Indies Cricket Board joined the international cricket group. They played their first official Test match in 1928. This made them the fourth 'Test nation'.

After World War II, the team continued to grow. In 1950, the West Indies beat England at Lord's for the first time. This win was a big moment for the team. In the 1960s, under captains like Frank Worrell and Gary Sobers, the team became stronger.

Daren Sammy. The West Indies have won three major tournament titles: the Champions Trophy once, and the World Twenty20 twice. Both World T20s were won with Sammy as captain, making him the only West Indian captain besides Clive Lloyd with multiple ICC tournament victories.

The West Indies won the first World Cup in 1975. They won it again in 1979. By the late 1970s, the team led by Clive Lloyd was known as the best in the world. They kept this reputation through the 1980s. During this time, they were famous for their four fast bowlers and amazing batsmen. In 1984, they set a record with 11 Test victories in a row.

In the 1990s and 2000s, West Indies cricket faced challenges. The team struggled to keep its top position. However, with the rise of Twenty20 cricket, things changed. Players like Chris Gayle and Andre Russell became known for their powerful hitting. They helped the West Indies become a top team again.

The West Indies won the 2012 World Twenty20 by beating Australia and then Sri Lanka. This was their first ICC world championship since 1979. They won again in the 2016 World Twenty20 by beating England. This made them the first team to win the World Twenty20 twice. On the same day in 2016, the West Indies women's team also won their World Twenty20 title!

Sadly, the team did not qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. This was the first time they missed out on the tournament.

Team Flag and Anthem

Former flag of the West Indies cricket team used until 1999. This flag became public domain but the current version is copyrighted.

Most cricket teams use their country's flag. But the West Indies team represents many different places. So, they have their own special flag. The flag shows a palm tree and cricket stumps on a sunny island. It has a maroon background.

Before 1999, the flag had a similar design. It showed a cabbage palm tree and an island, but with the Orion constellation instead of the sun. This older design was made in 1923.

For big international tournaments, the team uses a song called "Rally 'Round the West Indies" by David Rudder as their anthem.

Cricket Stadiums

Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad

Many stadiums across the Caribbean host West Indies cricket matches. Here are some of the main ones:

• Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad: This stadium has hosted the most Test matches in the Caribbean. It has a beautiful view of Trinidad's Northern Range mountains.
• Kensington Oval in Barbados: Known as the 'Mecca' of West Indies cricket. It hosted the first Test match in the region in 1930. It also hosted the finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the 2010 World Twenty20.
• Bourda in Guyana: This was the only Test ground in South America for a long time. It was also the only one below sea level with a moat!
• Sabina Park in Jamaica: This stadium has the famous Blue Mountains as its backdrop. It's where Garry Sobers scored his world-record 365 not out.
• Antigua Recreation Ground in Antigua: This ground is famous for Brian Lara's world-record scores of 375 and 400 not out.
• Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia: Named after captain Darren Sammy after the West Indies won the 2016 World Twenty20. It was the first stadium in the Caribbean to host a day-night cricket match.
• Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua: Another major stadium in Antigua, named after the legendary cricketer Viv Richards.
• Providence Stadium in Guyana: A modern stadium that now hosts Test matches instead of Bourda.
• Warner Park Stadium in St Kitts: A newer stadium that started hosting international matches in 2006.
• Arnos Vale in St Vincent: A smaller ground that has hosted a few Test matches.
• National Cricket Stadium in Grenada: Started hosting Test matches in 2002.
• Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica: Opened in 2007 and hosted its first Test match in 2011.

Other International Grounds

Some stadiums are used for One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) but not Test matches.

Team Uniforms

Viv Richards was a great captain for the West Indies from 1985–86 to 1991, when they were the best Test team in the world.

When playing one-day cricket, the West Indies team wears maroon shirts and trousers. Their shirt has the West Indies Cricket Board logo and the name of their uniform maker, Macron. The cap is also maroon with the WICB logo and two yellow stripes.

For T20I matches, the team wears yellow shirts with maroon sleeves. These shirts also have blue and yellow stripes. The team's crest is on the shirt.

When playing longer matches (first-class cricket), players wear traditional white cricket clothes. They sometimes wear a maroon sunhat or a maroon baggy cap. The WICB logo is on the front of the hat. Helmets are also maroon.

In the past, the team's uniforms have changed. During the World Series Cricket, they even wore pink uniforms before changing to maroon. Different colors like grey, green, and yellow have been used as accent colors over the years.

West Indies Women's Cricket Team

The West Indies also have a women's cricket team. They have played fewer matches than the men's team. Between 1975 and 1979, they played 11 Test matches. Since then, they have played only one more Test match.

The women's team played their first One Day International (ODI) in 1979. They have improved a lot since 2013. Their biggest success was winning the 2016 Women's World Twenty20. They beat Australia in the final. The men's team was there to cheer them on!

Nadine George is a famous player from the women's team. She was the first West Indian woman to score a century in a Test match. She is a big supporter of sports in the West Indies.

Tournament History

The West Indies team has a rich history in major cricket tournaments.

ICC World Test Championship

Cricket World Cup

World Cup record
Hosts, Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
1975	Champions	1/8	5	5	0	0	0
1979			5	4	0	0	1
1983	Runners-up	2/8	8	6	2	0	0
1987	Round 1	5/8	6	3	3	0	0
1992		6/9	8	4	4	0	0
1996	Semi-finals	4/12	7	3	4	0	0
1999	Round 1	7/12	5	3	2	0	0
2003		7/14	6	3	2	0	1
2007	Super 8	6/16	10	5	5	0	0
2011	Quarter-finals	8/14	7	3	4	0	0
2015		8/14	7	3	4	0	0
2019	Group stage	9/10	9	2	6	0	1
2023	Did not qualify
Total	12/13	2 Titles	80	43	35	0	2

ICC T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup record
Hosts, Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2007	Group stage	11/12	2	0	2	0	0
2009	Semi-finals	4/12	6	3	3	0	0
2010	Super 8	6/12	5	3	2	0	0
2012	Champions	1/12	7	3	2	1	1
2014	Semi-finals	3/16	5	3	2	0	0
2016	Champions	1/16	6	5	1	0	0
2021	Super 12	9/16	5	1	4	0	0
2022	Group Stage	15/16	3	1	2	0	0
2024	Super 8	5/20	7	5	2	0	0
Total	9/9	2 titles	46	24	20	1	1

ICC Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy record
Hosts, Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
1998	Runners-up	2/9	3	2	1	0	0
2000	Round 1	11/11	1	0	1	0	0
2002		7/12	2	1	1	0	0
2004	Champions	1/12	4	4	0	0	0
2006	Runners-up	2/10	8	5	3	0	0
2009	Round 1	8/8	3	0	3	0	0
2013		6/8	3	1	1	1	0
2017	Did not qualify
2025
Total	7/9	1 title	24	13	10	1	0

Team Achievements

The West Indies cricket team has won several major titles:

• 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

Records and Statistics

Brian Lara holds the world record for highest score in Test cricket (400 v. England in 2003–04)

Here are some interesting records for the West Indies team:

• Highest Team Scores (Test Matches):
  • 790 for 3 declared against Pakistan in Kingston (1957–58)
  • 751 for 5 declared against England in St John's (2003–04)
• Lowest Team Scores (Test Matches):
  • 47 against England in Kingston (2003–04)
  • 51 against Australia in Port of Spain (1998–99)

• Highest Individual Scores (Test Matches):
  • 400 not out by Brian Lara against England in St John's (2003–04) - This is a world record!
  • 375 by Brian Lara against England in St John's (1993–94)
  • 365 not out by Garry Sobers against Pakistan in Kingston (1957–58)
  • 333 by Chris Gayle against Sri Lanka in Galle (2010–11)

• Most Wickets in a Test Match:
  • 14 wickets for 149 runs by Michael Holding against England at the Oval (1976)

• Hat-tricks (taking 3 wickets in 3 balls):
  • In Test matches: Wes Hall (1959), Lance Gibbs (1961), Courtney Walsh (1988), and Jermaine Lawson (2003).
  • In One-Day Internationals (ODIs): Jerome Taylor (2006) and Kemar Roach (2011 World Cup).

Test Captains

Courtney Walsh was a captain for the West Indies between 1993–94 and 1997–98.

Many great players have led the West Indies team in Test matches. Here are some of them:

Current Team Players

West Indies announced their national contracts for 2024–2025. Some players received 2-year contracts for the first time. This list shows players who are currently contracted, have played recently, or were named in the latest squads. Players in bold have contracts.

Last updated: November 18, 2024

Name	Age	Batting style	Bowling style	Domestic team	Forms	Captain	Last Test	Last ODI	Last T20I
Batters
Alick Athanaze	26	Left-handed	Right-arm off break	Windward Islands	Test, ODI, T20I		2024	2024	2024
Kraigg Brathwaite	32	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	Barbados	Test	Test (C)	2024	2017	N/A
Keacy Carty	28	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	Leeward Islands	Test, ODI		2024	2024	N/A
Brandon King	30	Right-handed	N/A	Jamaica	ODI, T20I		N/A	2024	2024
Rovman Powell	31	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast	Jamaica	T20I	T20I (C)	N/A	2023	2024
All-rounders
Roston Chase	33	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	Barbados	ODI, T20I	T20I (VC)	2023	2024	2024
Kavem Hodge	32	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	Windward Islands	Test, ODI		2024	2024	N/A
Romario Shepherd	30	Right-handed	Right-arm fast-medium	Guyana	ODI, T20I		N/A	2024	2024
Wicket-keepers
Joshua da Silva	27	Right-handed	N/A	Trinidad and Tobago	Test	Test (VC)	2024	2021	N/A
Shai Hope	31	Right-handed	N/A	Barbados	ODI, T20I	ODI (C)	2021	2024	2024
Pace bowlers
Alzarri Joseph	28	Right-handed	Right-arm fast	Leeward Islands	Test, ODI, T20I	ODI (VC)	2024	2024	2024
Shamar Joseph	25	Left-handed	Right-arm fast	Guyana	Test, ODI, T20I		2024	2024	2024
Jayden Seales	23	Left-handed	Right-arm fast-medium	Trinidad and Tobago	Test, ODI		2024	2024	N/A
Spin bowlers
Akeal Hosein	32	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	Trinidad and Tobago	T20I		N/A	2023	2024
Gudakesh Motie	30	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	Guyana	Test, ODI, T20I		2024	2024	2024

Coaching Staff

The West Indies team has different coaches for Test matches and limited-overs matches.

Test Coaching Staff

Limited Overs Coaching Staff

Images for kids

• 

  Viv Richards, who has a Test batting average of 50.23 from 121 matches, captained the West Indies from 1985–86 to 1991, a period throughout which the West Indies were the best Test match side in the world.

See also

• Cricket in the West Indies
• Cricket West Indies
• History of the West Indian cricket team
• West Indies women's cricket team
• West Indies under-19 cricket team