News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. April 11, 2022: It has been an excellent year so far for the West Indies cricket team. Back in January, they defeated England 3-2 in a five-game T20 series. More recently, they proved they can also have success in the longer format of the game, beating England 1-0 in a Test series.
The victory over England in the five-day game is a big result for the Test team, as many pundits around the world have commented that the West Indies are no longer a big force in Test cricket.
With the T20 game being as lucrative as it is, and franchises like the IPL and Big Bash being able to attract the best players from the West Indies, Test cricket has lost a little of its appeal. However, this latest win shows that it still means a lot to the Windies.
England traveled to the Caribbean as the strong favorites to win the series. The visitors made a strong start in the First Test. They declared on 349/6 in the second innings and had the hosts under pressure to survive for a draw, but as the News America report indicates, they managed it.
In the Second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Barbados, England once again batted first and took the early momentum. They scored a huge 507/9d in their first innings. The home side responded well with 411 and batted well on the final day to earn a draw.
The Third Test was a much different story as it was the Windies who took control of the game early. As you can read at AP News, they bowled England out for 204 in the first innings and then dismissed the visitors for 120 in the second innings. It allowed them to record a 10-wicket success and capture the trophy for the series.
There were many standout players for the hosts, but it was Kraigg Brathwaite who was handed the Player of the Series award. The West Indies opener scored a magnificent 160 in the first innings of the Second Test. He also played his part in ensuring his side did not lose in the opening two Test matches when they were under pressure on the final day.
Netherlands and Pakistan Still to Come This Year
The attention now turns to 50-overs cricket for the West Indies. They have a series against the Netherlands and Pakistan in May and June. West Indies will be expected to prevail on their tour of the Netherlands. Their opponents are five places below them in the ICC ODI rankings.
A trip to Pakistan will represent a much stronger challenge for the Windies. Pakistan are sixth in the latest ODI standings. As the BBC reported, they recently defeated Australia 2-1 in a three-match series.
If the West Indies are able to win both of those series away from home, it would help them climb the rankings and it could see them overtake Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who sit seventh and eighth respectively in the current table.
T20 World Cup
The West Indies are the most successful team in the history of the T20 World Cup. They lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016. Their first success came in Sri Lanka when they beat the hosts in the final. Four years later, as the Guardian documented, it was England they defeated in the final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
This year’s tournament begins in October, and it will take place in Australia. The West Indies have automatically qualified for the tournament due to their ICC T20 world ranking. As of the 5th April, they are +1200 with betting site Betway to prevail for the third time in the competition.
The Men in Maroon will begin their campaign in the first round of the 2022 T20 World Cup. They have been drawn alongside Ireland, Scotland, and the Global Qualifier B winner. Those teams should provide the Windies with little trouble.
If they win Group B, the West Indies will join Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and South Africa in Group 2 of the Super 12. They will be hoping to progress all the way through to the final which is scheduled for the 13th of November at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The start West Indies have made in 2022 gives them a great platform to build upon. The year could end as one of the best in the last couple of decades, putting them closer to the heavyweights in international cricket again.
