West Indies All-Time Teams

In honor of the Caribbean Premier League starting on July 11 I'm going to create all-time teams for each of the major Caribbean cricketing islands as well as give you some background on each player. Teams are presented in the order they would bat in. All stats are Test cricket stats. Years in parentheses are their Test careers.

First up: JAMAICA

Chris Gayle (2000-present)

Attacking left-hand opener who takes the game to the bowlers. Also a handy spin bowler.

Batting stats

Tests 102

Innings 180

Runs 7141

Average 42.00

High score 333

100s 15

Bowling stats

Wickets 72

Runs given up 7007

Average runs/wicket 42.63

Runs per over 2.62

Best bowling (innings) 5/34

Best bowling (match) 6/81

Lawrence Rowe (1972-1980)

One of the best batsman in the world in the early 70s before an eye injury cut his career short.

Batting stats

Tests 30

Innings 49

Runs 2047

Average 43.55

High score 302

100s 7

George Headley (1930-1954)

Nicknamed "the black Bradman" because of his exceptionally high average.

Batting stats

Tests 22

Innings 40

Runs 2190

Average 60.83

High score 270*

100s 10

Sir Frank Worrell (1948-1963)

West Indies' first great captain who lead into the golden age of West Indies cricket.

Batting stats

Tests 51

Innings 87

Runs 3860

Average 49.48

High score 261

100s 9

Jimmy Adams (1992-2001)

One of the best batsman of the 90s in the West Indies. Also a handy spinner.

Batting stats

Tests 54

Innings 90

Runs 3012

Average 41.26

High score 208*

100s 6

Bowling stats

Wickets 27

Runs given up 1336

Average runs/wicket 49.48

Runs per over 2.80

Best bowling (innings) 5/17

Best bowling (match) 5/49

Jeff Dujon (1981-1991)

Wicketkeeper of the great 1980s West Indian team.

Batting stats

Tests 81

Innings 115

Runs 3322

Average 31.94

High score 139

100s 5

Jerome Taylor (2003-present)

One of the new crop of West Indian fast bowlers.

Bowling stats

Tests 32

Wickets 93

Runs given up 3204

Average runs/wicket 34.45

Runs per over 3.42

Best bowling (innings) 5/11

Best bowling (match) 9/95

Michael Holding (1975-1987)

One of the all-time great fast bowlers, featured in "Fire in Babylon", nicknamed "Whispering Death" due to his quiet run-up and vicious bouncers, bowled at almost 100 mph.

Bowling stats

Tests 60

Wickets 249

Runs given up 5898

Average runs/wicket 23.68

Runs per over 2.79

Best bowling (innings) 8/92

Best bowling (match) 14/149

Franklyn Rose (1997-2000)

Burst on to the scene with his fast bowling, but fizzled out in Test cricket.

Bowling stats

Tests 19

Wickets 53

Runs given up 1637

Average runs/wicket 30.88

Runs per over 3.14

Best bowling (innings) 7/84

Best bowling (match) 7/96

Alf Valentine (1950-1962)

The main spinner in this team, he was instrumental in West Indies' first series win over England.

Bowling stats

Tests 36

Wickets 139

Runs given up 42.15

Average runs/wicket 30.32

Runs per over 1.95

Best bowling (innings) 8/104

Best bowling (match) 11/204

Courtney Walsh (1984-2001)

Another of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time, once held the record for most Test wickets.

Bowling stats

Tests 132

Wickets 519

Runs given up 12688

Average runs/wicket 24.44

Runs per over 2.53

Best bowling (innings) 7/37

Best bowling (match) 13/55

Next up: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Trinidad and Tobago all-time team

Lendl Simmons (2009-2011)

Very gifted batsman at domestic level but never made the step up well to Test cricket.

Batting stats

Tests 8

Innings 16

Runs 278

Average 17.37

High score 49

100s 0

Adrian Barath (2009-2012)

One of the young stars of West Indies batting. Expect him to make a Test comeback in the near future.

Batting stats

Tests 15

Innings 28

Runs 657

Average 23.46

High score 104

100s 1

Darren Bravo (2010-present)

The best batsman in the West Indies at the moment. Expect him to be the new Brian Lara. (who incidentally shows up next!)

Batting stats

Tests 30

Innings 54

Runs 2196

Average 43.92

High score 218

100s 6

Brian Lara (1990-2006)

The greatest ever batsman from the West Indies. Holds the highest score in Tests and in first-class cricket. Formerly had the most runs scored in Tests until Sachin surpassed him.

Nicknamed "The Prince of Port-of-Spain".

Batting stats

Tests 131

Innings 232

Runs 11953

Average 52.88

High score 400*

100s 34

Larry Gomes (1976-1987)

Got occasional playing time in the great West Indies team of the 1980s.

Batting stats

Tests 60

Innings 91

Runs 3171

Average 39.63

High score 143

100s 9

Dwayne Bravo (2004-present)

Darren Bravo's older brother, not as good of a batsman but a better bowler.

Batting stats

Tests 40

Innings 71

Runs 2200

Average 31.42

High score 113

100s 3

Bowling stats

Wickets 86

Runs given up 3426

Average runs/wicket 39.83

Runs per over 3.17

Best bowling (innings) 6/55

Best bowling (match) 6/84

Gus Logie (1983-1991)

An infrequent player in the great West Indies team of the 80s.

Batting stats

Tests 52

Innings 78

Runs 2470

Average 35.79

High score 130

100s 2

Deryck Murray (1963-1980)

The wicketkeeper who preceded Jeff Dujon in the West Indies team.

Batting stats

Tests 62

Innings 96

Runs 1993

Average 22.90

High score 91

100s 0

Sonny Ramadhin (1950-1961)

The main spinner in this team, he often partnered Alf Valentine (of Jamaica) in Tests.

Bowling stats

Tests 43

Wickets 158

Runs given up 4579

Average runs/wicket 28.98

Runs per over 1.97

Best bowling (innings) 7/49

Best bowling (match) 11/152

Ian Bishop (1989-1998)

Fast bowler who led West Indies' bowling attack in the 90s along with Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose. Now a respected TV commentator.

Bowling stats

Tests 43

Wickets 161

Runs given up 3909

Average runs/wicket 24.27

Runs per over 2.78

Best bowling (innings) 6/40

Best bowling (match) 8/57

Mervyn Dillon (1997-2004)

Tasked with leading the West Indies' bowling attack after Walsh, Ambrose, and Bishop retired.

Bowling stats

Tests 38

Wickets 131

Runs given up 4398

Average runs/wicket 33.57

Runs per over 3.03

Best bowling (innings) 5/71

Best bowling (match) 8/123

Next up: BARBADOS

Barbados all-time team

Gordon Greenidge (1974-1991)

West Indies' greatest ever opener. Very destructive stoke player. Featured in "Fire in Babylon".

Batting stats

Tests 108

Innings 185

Runs 7558

Average 44.72

High score 226

100s 19

Desmond Haynes (1978-1994)

Opened many times for West Indies with his good buddy Gordon Greenidge. Featured in "Fire in Babylon".

Batting stats

Tests 116

Innings 202

Runs 7487

Average 42.29

High score 184

100s 18

Sir Everton Weekes (1948-1958)

Formed the 3 W's in the 1950s with Frank Worrell (of Jamaica) and fellow Bajan Clyde Walcott.

Batting stats

Tests 48

Innings 81

Runs 4455

Average 58.61

High score 207

100s 15

Sir Clyde Walcott (1948-1960)

One of the other members of the 3 W's who was a vital part of the West Indies in the 50s.

Batting stats

Tests 44

Innings 74

Runs 3798

Average 56.68

High score 220

100s 15

Sir Garry Sobers (1954-1974)

The greatest all rounder ever. Batted extremely well, and could bowl fast as well as 2 different types of spin, depending on the match situation. Once held the record for highest Test score.

Batting stats

Tests 93

Innings 160

Runs 8032

Average 57.78

High score 365*

100s 26

Bowling stats

Wickets 235

Runs given up 7999

Average runs/wicket 34.03

Runs per over 2.22

Best bowling (innings) 6/73

Best bowling (match) 8/80

Dwayne Smith (2004-2006)

Hard-hitting batsman who was the youngest West Indian to hit a Test 100. Now exclusively plays ODI and T20 cricket.

Batting stats

Tests 10

Innings 14

Runs 320

Average 24.61

High score 105*

100s 1

Malcolm Marshall (1978-1991)

Perhaps the finest of the menacing West Indian fast bowlers of the 80s. Sadly died of cancer at the age of 41.

Bowling stats

Tests 81

Wickets 376

Runs given up 7876

Average runs/wicket 20.94

Runs per over 2.68

Best bowling (innings) 7/22

Best bowling (match) 11/89

Joel Garner (1977-1987)

Was Marshall's ally for most of his career, but he was still menacing. Delivered hostile bouncers at over 90 mph due to his 6'8" height. Featured in "Fire in Babylon".

Bowling stats

Tests 58

Wickets 259

Runs given up 5433

Average runs/wicket 20.97

Runs per over 2.47

Best bowling (innings) 6/56

Best bowling (match) 9/108

Sir Wes Hall (1958-1969)

West Indies' best fast bowler in the 60s. Bowled over 90 mph.

Bowling stats

Tests 48

Wickets 192

Runs given up 5066

Average runs/wicket 26.38

Runs per over 2.91

Best bowling (innings) 7/69

Best bowling (match) 11/126

Kemar Roach (2009-present)

One of the new crop of West Indies fast bowlers. Also possesses the ability to touch 90 mph.

Bowling stats

Tests 26

Wickets 100

Runs given up 2704

Average runs/wicket 27.04

Runs per over 3.16

Best bowling (innings) 6/48

Best bowling (match) 10/146

Fidel Edwards (2003-present)

Another current fast bowler capable of touching 90 mph. Uses a slinging action to bowl the ball.

Bowling stats

Tests 55

Wickets 165

Runs given up 6249

Average runs/wicket 37.87

Runs per over 3.90

Best bowling (innings) 7/87

Best bowling (match) 8/132

Next up: GUYANA

Guyana all-time team

Roy Fredericks (1968-1977)

One of the great West Indian batsman of the 70s. Known for his devastating hook shot.

Batting stats

Tests 59

Innings 109

Runs 4334

Average 42.49

High score 169

100s 8

Rohan Kanhai (1957-1974)

Played an integral part in the West Indies team of the 60s. Also a good wicketkeeper.

Batting stats

Tests 79

Innings 137

Runs 6227

Average 47.53

High score 256

100s 15

Ramnaresh Sarwan (2000-2011)

The West Indies' best batsman in the 2000s. Was in the form of his life in 2009 against England.

Batting stats

Tests 87

Innings 154

Runs 5842

Average 40.01

High score 291

100s 15

Alvin Kallicharran (1972-1981)

One of the great West Indian batsman of the 70s. Known for his nimble footwork.

Batting stats

Tests 66

Innings 109

Runs 4399

Average 44.43

High score 187

100s 12

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1994-present)

The 2nd West Indian after Brian Lara to reach 10000 Test runs. Currently has the longest Test career among active players.

Batting stats

Tests 156

Innings 266

Runs 11414

Average 51.88

High score 203*

100s 29

Clive Lloyd (1966-1985)

The inspirational captain of the West Indies team of the 70s and 80s.

Batting stats

Tests 110

Innings 175

Runs 7515

Average 46.67

High score 242*

100s 19

Carl Hooper (1987-2002)

Nicknamed "Cool Carl" for his relaxed demeanor. Could bat and bowl spin equally well.

Batting stats

Tests 102

Innings 173

Runs 5762

Average 36.46

High score 233

100s 13

Bowling stats

Wickets 114

Runs given up 5635

Average runs/wicket 49.42

Runs per over 2.45

Best bowling (innings) 5/26

Best bowling (match) 7/178

Roger Harper (1983-1993)

A spinner who was brilliant in the field.

Bowling stats

Tests 25

Wickets 46

Runs given up 3615

Average runs/wicket 28.06

Runs per over 2.14

Best bowling (innings) 6/57

Best bowling (match) 6/90

Clyde Butts (1985-1988)

A spinner who didn't get much game time because of the dominance of the West Indies' fast bowlers.

Bowling stats

Tests 7

Wickets 10

Runs given up 595

Average runs/wicket 59.50

Runs per over 2.29

Best bowling (innings) 4/73

Best bowling (match) 6/95

Lance Gibbs (1958-1976)

The main bowler in the West Indies team of the 60s who was the first spinner to reach 300 Test wickets.

Bowling stats

Tests 79

Wickets 309

Runs given up 8989

Average runs/wicket 29.09

Runs per over 1.98

Best bowling (innings) 8/38

Best bowling (match) 11/157

Colin Croft (1977-1982)

One of the great West Indian fast bowlers known for his ability to bowl bouncers. Featured in "Fire in Babylon".

Bowling stats

Tests 27

Wickets 125

Runs given up 2913

Average runs/wicket 23.30

Runs per over 2.83

Best bowling (innings) 8/29

Best bowling (match) 9/95

Next up: ANTIGUA

Antigua all-time team

Sylvester Joseph (2004-2007)

A good batsman at domestic level who never really made the step up to Test cricket.

Batting stats

Tests 5

Innings 10

Runs 147

Average 14.70

High score 45

100s 0

Sir Richie Richardson (1983-1995)

West Indies' captain after Viv Richards who played an important part in the West Indies teams of the 90s.

Batting stats

Tests 86

Innings 146

Runs 5949

Average 44.39

High score 194

100s 16

Sir Viv Richards (1974-1991)

The greatest batsman of the 70s and 80s. Very destructive with power all around the ground. Succeeded Clive Lloyd as West Indies captain. Owns the record for the fastest Test 100. Featured in "Fire in Babylon".

Batting stats

Tests 121

Innings 182

Runs 8540

Average 50.23

High score 291

100s 24

Dave Joseph (1999)

Another good domestic batsman who had a tough time in Test cricket.

Batting stats

Tests 4

Innings 7

Runs 141

Average 20.14

High score 50

100s 0

Ridley Jacobs (1998-2004)

A solid batsman and wicketkeeper who was at the other end when Brian Lara scored 400.

Batting stats

Tests 65

Innings 112

Runs 2577

Average 28.31

High score 118

100s 3

Winston Benjamin (1987-1995)

A solid fast bowler who never was able to reach greatness.

Bowling stats

Tests 21

Wickets 61

Runs given up 1648

Average runs/wicket 27.01

Runs per over 2.67

Best bowling (innings) 4/46

Best bowling (match) 6/105

Kenny Benjamin (1992-1998)

A strong fast bowler who was a good alternative to Curtly Ambrose.

Bowling stats

Tests 26

Wickets 92

Runs given up 2785

Average runs/wicket 30.27

Runs per over 3.25

Best bowling (innings) 6/66

Best bowling (match) 10/174

Sir Andy Roberts (1974-1983)

The leader of the West Indies' fast bowling attack in the 70s. Possessed a deadly bouncer and showed no emotion on the field. Featured in "Fire in Babylon".

Bowling stats

Tests 47

Wickets 202

Runs given up 5174

Average runs/wicket 25.61

Runs per over 2.78

Best bowling (innings) 7/54

Best bowling (match) 12/121

Eldine Baptiste (1983-1990)

Fast bowler who only found a place in the West Indies team if one of the greats was injured.

Bowling stats

Tests 10

Wickets 16

Runs given up 563

Average runs/wicket 35.18

Runs per over 2.48

Best bowling (innings) 3/31

Best bowling (match) 4/56

Gavin Tonge (2009)

A fast bowling one-Test wonder who has remained on the fringes of selection ever since.

Bowling stats

Tests 1

Wickets 1

Runs given up 113

Average runs/wicket 113.00

Runs per over 4.03

Best bowling (innings) 1/28

Best bowling (match) 1/113

Sir Curtly Ambrose (1988-2000)

The fast bowling leader of the West Indies' attack in the 90s along with Courtney Walsh. Also possesses the greatest name in cricket.

Bowling stats

Tests 98

Wickets 405

Runs given up 8501

Average runs/wicket 20.99

Runs per over 2.30

Best bowling (innings) 8/45

Best bowling (match) 11/84

St. Lucia, the other team in the league, does not have enough Test cricketers to make an all-time team.

I'm Back

Hello everyone!

I've been really swamped with schoolwork over the past few months, so I haven't been able to devote any real time to this blog. Now that the school year is over, I'll be posting a lot (hopefully at least once a day) so I can keep all of you who read this blog coming back again and again.

So thank you to everyone for reading, and I have plenty of posts lined up.

JP

5-0

5-0.

That simple scoreline represents the most dominating performance in a series you can have. It's only happened 10 times, including the Ashes series we have just witnessed. That's less than the amount of triple centuries hit in Test cricket or perfect games thrown in Major League Baseball.Whitewashes, the term associated with a 5-0 series drubbing, only come around on average once every 20 years or so, only happening more often when a team is great or a team is terrible.

For example, the whitewashes accomplished by the 1920-21 Australians, the 1984 West Indians, the 1985-86 West Indians, and the 2006-07 Australians, all happened mainly because the team that won was good. Really good. For example, the West Indies teams contained in that list are considered to be some of the best ever, along with that 2006-07 Australian team. Interestingly in all of these whitewashes, England were on the receiving end. I honestly don't know what to make of that, but England just happens to be the nation that schedules the most 5-Test series. (Also it must have been embarrassing for England to lose by a combined score of 10-0 to the West Indies over a span of two years, with one of the series being in England, the other in the West Indies)

The other whitewashes, accomplished by the 1931-32 Australians over South Africa, the 1959 English over India, the 1961-62 West Indies over India, the 1998-99 South Africans over the West Indies, and the 2000-01 Australians over the West Indies, all occurred not because the winning team was good, it was rather because the team on the losing end was absolutely terrible. But if you count closely, there are only 9 whitewashes in that list. The 10th, the 2013-14 Australians over England, is still up for debate.

Australia definitely played the better cricket over the 5 Tests, and I am not saying at all that their 5-0 victory was not deserved. Also, basically the same English team played some wonderful cricket in their 3-0 victory over the Australians in the summer. However, I think age caught up to England on this tour. Having one senior player retire and another leave during the middle of the tour just adds to the misery. And I don't think this Australian team has reached the heights of that great team of the 90s and 2000s. Can they?

Well, they've got a series at South Africa coming up next month. We will see then.

CLT20

The Champions League T20 got underway on Saturday with a game between two of the heavyweights of the T20 format. Mumbai Indians, the team with the most fans of any domestic team, with global stars such as the legend himself Sachin Tendulkar, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, and Mitchell Johnson, and ably led by young captain Rohit Sharma, faced off against the Rajasthan Royals, a team short on stars but high on resolve, led by the retiring Rahul Dravid, "The Wall", which would be an appropriate nickname for what they've built up at their home, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The Royals have an excellent record at home, so it would be a tough task for the star-studded defending IPL champion Mumbai to come in and breach the fortress.

The build-up to the game focused mainly on the fact that it may be the last time we see two Indian legends, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, on the field together. However when the actual game came along, neither was much of a factor. The Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch that was grassy and supported their bowling attack of 5 pacers as opposed to Mumbai's attack of 3 pacers and 2 spinners, although those 2 spinners were Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, who have periodically bowled together for India. Tendulkar looked back to his best for all of 17 deliveries before he was out, leaving Sharma and Pollard to do the rebuilding work to get them to a competitive score of 142.

The other legend in today's game Dravid, was out for just 1 in the 2nd over. Enter 18 year old Sanju Samson. Samson played an extremely responsible innings of 54 from 47 balls and led the Royals to victory with Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane lending able support.

The kid outshines the legends. A changing of the guard within the Indian team is soon to be in store, and Samson will definitely be a part of it.

Some notes from the second day:

Trinidad and Tobago might have the best bowling attack in the tournament.

Chennai are the best all-around team and most consistent team in all of T20 cricket.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Australia vs New Zealand Preview

Shifting over to the world of rugby with this post.

The Rugby Championship is contested by the four main Southern Hemisphere rugby powers: Australia (the Wallabies), New Zealand (the All Blacks), South Africa (the Springboks) and Argentina (the Pumas). This tournament was originally called the Tri-Nations, being only contested by the Wallabies, All Blacks, and Springboks. From 1996 to 2011, the era of the Tri-Nations, New Zealand were the most successful side, winning the title 10 times, while Australia and South Africa each won three times. Argentina joined the competition in 2012, and it was renamed The Rugby Championship. New Zealand then proceeded to win the 2012 championship by winning all six of their games.

In addition to competing for the Rugby Championship title, Australia and New Zealand also compete for the Bledisloe Cup, a trophy which is decided over three games, the two home-and-home matches the teams play during the Rugby Championship, and a third match, sometimes at a neutral site. New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003, an unprecedented run of 10 straight victories. The greatest Bledisloe Cup match is often deemed to be the greatest match of all time. On July 15, 2000, Australia welcomed New Zealand to Sydney's Olympic Stadium which had just been built for the upcoming Olympics. A record crowd of 109,874 watched an instant classic, to most who watched it, the greatest game of all time. (I won't spoil it for you guys who have never seen it)

Now, on Saturday, Australia welcome back New Zealand to the very same stadium where they played that fateful day in 2000, looking to defeat their arch rivals and take the lead in the Bledisloe Cup series. In his team, Australia's new coach, Ewen McKenzie, named uncapped fly-half Matt Toomua, who I have never seen play but is rated very highly. Most of the forwards are the same as in Australia's last series, against the British and Irish Lions. New Zealand have gone with the tried and true lineup which has gotten them innumerable trophies over the past few years, although they do have some slightly new faces on the wing, with Julian Savea and Ben Smith starting.

Game time is 5 am Saturday morning, so set your alarm, get some coffee or tea, find a stream, and watch one of the greatest spectacles in rugby. Also, if you have never seen the Haka, make sure you find a way to see that.

The Ashes 3rd Test. Also, the Caribbean Premier League.

Australia 303/3 vs England

Scorecard

Finally a good day for Australia then.

The problem is it took them 10 tries to get a day where they truly dominated the proceedings. They're going to need about 12 more of these in order to complete the greatest Test series comeback of all time. Today also exposed that this Australian team can actually play cricket well, on one condition: Their captain, Michael Clarke, must play well and get a century or at least a substantial score. Case in point: this whole series so far. Clarke hasn't had a very good series; as a result, his young team has no confidence because their captain and main senior player can't get any runs. Today, Clarke played well and was able to kick on and get a century, so his batting partner, Steve Smith, was able to play with confidence knowing his captain would be a guiding hand to help him out in the middle. As a result, Smith played a very composed, mature innings.

Now to see if they can keep it up.

Highlights: http://mycrickethighlights.com/ashes-3rd-test-day-1-cricket-highlights-2013/

Also, I am currently watching the inaugural Caribbean Premier League, and I think it's simply brilliant. The quality of cricket has been good so far, and most importantly, it's putting people back in the seats. Despite their loss last night, T&T look like the favorites to me.

Tomorrow: A post all about the Cricket World Cup because of the launch of the 2015 World Cup on Monday.

Thanks for reading everyone.

Ashes 2nd Test Day 1

England 289/7 vs Australia

Scorecard

Here are some quick thoughts on the first day's play of the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

1. Ryan Harris was the best of the Australian fast bowlers by a distance today, and Australia should make sure that his injury-prone body is well-managed for the rest of the series.

2. Ian Bell is the real deal. When England were in a wobbly position after being 28/3, he calmly walked in at number five and began scoring freely en route to a vital 109.

3. Steve Smith conjured up memories of a certain Shane Warne today when he took three English wickets in the evening session. However, he is nowhere near the bowler Warne was and the English batsmen should figure him out the rest of the series.

Series prediction: 3-0 or 3-1 England.