Yesterday I recalled the groundbreaking encounters between Australia and the West Indies in the 1970s. After World Series Cricket ended with a deal between Kerry Packer and the ACB, Test cricket once more featured some of the most exciting cricketers in the world. Sadly for the Aussie public, most of them were wearing the maroon caps and not the green baggies. Actually, most were wearing the new-fangled helmets, apart from the peerless Viv Richards, who always stuck bravely to his cap, trusting his skill with the bat and reactions to avoid trouble.
Although Clive Lloyd handed on the baton to Viv then Richie Richardson, the West Indies didn't lose a series for an incredible fifteen years, home or away. Between 1983 and 1993, their accomplishments included five consecutive series victories over Australia, winning 13-4 in individual matches. By March 1995, Mark Taylor's side had a pretty good look about it. Slater, Taylor, Boon, Mark and Steve Waugh made for a formidable top five, and youngsters Warne and McGrath joined Paul Reiffel and Brendan Julien in the attack. They went to Barbados ready for business and Richie Richardson's team were rolled over within three days!
Antigua saw a more even contest, but rain prevented a result. In Trinidad, however, the game was over well inside three days as bowlers ruled the roost. Steve Waugh ran out of partners as Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh dismissed the Aussies for 128, only for McGrath to respond with 6-47, reducing the Windies lead to just eight runs. On the third morning, Ambrose, Walsh and Kenny Benjamin whistled through that great batting line-up in only 36 overs, leaving Williams, Richardson and Lara to knock off the 98 needed with no problem at all.
One apiece, and on to Jamaica for the decider. The West Indies were back in the series and, remember, hadn't lost for many years. None of the players had ever tasted a series defeat. Richardson won the toss and opted to bat. While his opening partner Stuart Williams lasted a mere two balls, the skipper went on to reach three figures. However, only Lara kept him company for any time and they were bowled out for 265 on day one. At 73-3, the West Indies looked back in business, but when Steve Waugh joined his brother Mark at the crease, fortunes swung right back to Australia. They put on 231 for the fourth wicket, and Steve was at his brilliant best, forcing constant shuffling of the bowling attack, including Carl Hooper and two part-time spinners to rest the wilting pacemen. Kenny Benjamin was apparently reduced to tears in one interval! Ambrose, Walsh et al tried all the old tricks, with short-pitched deliveries galore, but Waugh remained unfazed. He gave no chances, played some splendid pulls and drives and was last out having reached 200 for the first time.
The home team needed to score 266 to avoid an innings defeat but they were too shell-shocked from two knackering days in the field. Reiffel claimed much of the top order and Warne polished off the tail. They had done it! A decade and a half of Caribbean mastery had finally been overturned. Two years later, the Aussies retained the Frank Worrell Trophy on their own soil and in 1999 shared the spoils 2-2. However, by 2000-1, the fortunes had been well and truly reversed. McGrath, Lee, Gillespie and the spinners McGill and Miller were utterly dominant. Even without Shane Warne, Australia completely outplayed Jimmy Adams' team, completing a 5-0 whitewash at Sydney.
Since then, the West Indies have struggled against almost all teams but I really hope they can discover some of the old spark, some flair and some steel, too, in giving the old rivals a bit of competition. The one-dayers provided some hope but five-day cricket may prove too much for them. Neither are top dogs in Tests these days but lets hope both can offer some bark and bite in tne current series.
