The West Indies aren’t the force that they once were, but they are once again a team on the up. World cricket needs a strong West Indies, so it is nice to look back over the last 40 years, a period that includes a huge chunk of their dominant time of the late eighties, to pick their best Test combination.
It’s an astoundingly strong team that features legendary names in almost every position.
From destructive openers to relentless fast bowlers, this side is packed with icons who made their mark not just in the Caribbean but across the cricketing world. Here is our pick of the best West Indies Test XI (plus one notable 12th man) of the past 40 years.
1. Desmond Haynes
An opener with technical excellence and unflappable temperament, Desmond Haynes was the rock of the West Indies top order during their all-conquering years.
Alongside his famous partnership with Gordon Greenidge, Haynes laid the foundation for many West Indies victories. With a classy batting style, he was equally comfortable against pace and spin and consistently delivered for his team over more than a decade. Batting at the top of the order he played 66 Tests and made 4582 runs with a highest score of 167 and an average of 45.36.
2. Chris Gayle
Explosive, entertaining, and downright destructive, Chris Gayle brought swagger to the West Indies opening slot. One of only four men to score two triple centuries in Test cricket, Gayle was the ultimate game-changer. His ability to dominate bowling attacks from the very first ball made him a unique threat in the longest format.
Despite his T20 stardom, Gayle’s Test record stands tall, and he earns his place in this team based on his statistics not his reputation. In 99 Tests at the top of the order he hit 7028 runs with a high score of 333 at an average of 43.11. Gayle was also a handy bowler with his right arm off breaks, and while he bowled more in white-ball cricket two Test fifers, 73 wickets and an average of 42.73 suggest he was a more than useful option with the ball.
3. Richie Richardson
Forever remembered for his wide-brimmed maroon sunhat, Richie Richardson was elegance personified. He took over the No.3 role at a time when West Indies cricket was transitioning but made it his own with his composed batting and sharp cricketing mind. Richardson’s ability to soak up pressure and play the anchor role makes him a perfect fit at first drop.
In fairness it was a close call between Richardson and Brian Lara ro see who got the number three spot. Lara’s record at three is better than his record at four, but it is hard to leave Richardson out or to look past his 4130 runs and his average of 48.45 when batting three (Lara’s average at three was 60.46)
4. Brian Lara
The “Prince of Trinidad” is arguably the finest batsman the West Indies have produced. Brian Lara’s flair, style, and sheer talent were mesmerizing. With a penchant for the big innings, Lara was capable of single-handedly turning matches around.
His record 375 and unbeaten 400 remain iconic, but his ability to dismantle the best attacks earns him a permanent place in this XI. Batting at four Lara scored 7494 runs at an average of 51.68 – it’s not as good as his record at three, but it is still outstanding.
Also read: Kane Williamson over Ross Taylor – and no Stephen Fleming? Selecting New Zealand’s best Test XI since 1985
5. Viv Richards (captain)
The original master blaster, Sir Viv Richards was the embodiment of West Indies cricket at its peak – fearless, aggressive, and commanding. While this list focuses on performances from 1985 onwards, even a snapshot of Richards’ late career shows his class.
As captain, he was equally imposing, leading the side without losing a series. Richards walks into this team as leader and spiritual heart. Batting at five, Richards played 36 Tests, scored 1940 runs at an average of 46.19.
6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
One of the most awkward cricketers to watch with his peculiar front-on stance, Chanderpaul was an ever-present for the West Indies for the better part of the late eighties and nineties. The understated genius of Shiv Chanderpaul often flew under the radar, but his numbers speak volumes.
With his trademark crab-like stance, Chanderpaul was a wall in the Windies middle-order, often digging the West Indies out of trouble. His astonishing average of 64.82 in this period reflects his consistency and resilience against the toughest opposition. He did bat at other positions in the order but six is where he did his best work. From 40 Tests at six Chanderpaul scored 2528 runs (Batting at five his numbers were better than Viv Richards – 6883 runs from 99 games with a high score of 203* at an average of 56.41)
7. Jimmy Adams
Jimmy Adams didn’t bat much at seven, he tended to be higher up the order. He was a phenomenal cricket, especially in the earlier part of his career, but the competition for places in this team is high. In order to squeeze him into this side, we have put him at seven and moved Ridley Jacobs down one place.
He only batted at seven in six Tests, but how do you leave a man out when he averages 57 batting at seven, 47.4 at five and 52.20 and four. Jimmy Adams was a classy left-hander who made the most of his opportunities. A steady influence in the middle order, Adams offered technical correctness and patience. He was also a decent part-time bowler with 27 wickets, a best innings return of five for 17 and an average of 49.48.
8. Ridley Jacobs (wicketkeeper)
Often overshadowed by the bigger names around him, Ridley Jacobs was a reliable presence behind the stumps. A no-nonsense keeper, Jacobs was solid with the gloves and equally valuable with the bat.
His ability to shepherd the tail and grind out important runs made him an ideal Test match wicketkeeper-batsman for the Windies during the late 90s and early 2000s. We initially picked him to bat seven where he averages 31.11 but we opted to move him down the order to find a spot for Adams. In a total of 65 Tests Jacobs grabbed 207 catches and made 12 stumpings.
9. Malcolm Marshall
Malcolm Marshall was a master of his craft, combining express pace, swing, and precision. Despite his relatively modest height for a fast bowler, Marshall generated wicked bounce and movement.
With a lethal bouncer and an ability to bowl devastating spells, his average of 19.55 is world-class. Few bowlers have been as feared as Marshall in Test cricket. In 45 Tests he took a total of 215 wickets. He was no slouch with the bat either with a highest score of 92.
10. Curtley Ambrose
The tall, silent assassin of the West Indies attack, Curtley Ambrose was relentless. At his best, he was virtually unplayable – extracting steep bounce and seam movement with unerring accuracy.
Ambrose was known for his devastating spells that could turn a match on its head. His miserly average of 20.99 and 405 wickets from 98 Tests earn him a firm spot in this XI.
11. Courtney Walsh
The first bowler to pass 500 Test wickets, Courtney Walsh was a workhorse and a gentleman of the game. Towering and tireless, Walsh carried the West Indies attack through much of the 90s.
His longevity and consistency were remarkable, and alongside Ambrose, he formed one of the greatest fast-bowling partnerships in cricket history. When he retired from the game, he had taken 506 wickets from 127 Tests at an average of 24.22.
12. Carl Hooper
Elegant with the bat and handy with his off-spin, Carl Hooper was one of the most naturally gifted players of his generation.
While his inconsistency prevented him from becoming an automatic selection, his contributions with both bat and ball give him a deserved place as the 12th man in this elite lineup. On his day, Hooper was as good as anyone in world cricket.
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