England - West Indies 3-Test Series [2020]

By M.L. Fernando

Cricket fans  all over the world have been waiting anxiously for the three Test matches between England and West Indies, which kicked off on Wednesday (8), because of the fact that Test matches were not played anywhere during the last three months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  

The first Test match between the two countries was played in 1928 in a three-match test series in England. The England captain was A.P.F. Chapman while the West Indies team was led by R.K. Nunes. For the West Indies, it was their first ever test series. 

England won the series easily after winning all three matches. After the first 40 Tests, matches between the two countries were played for “The Wisden Trophy “. At the moment a total of 157 tests have been played between the two countries. England have won 49 Test matches while the Windies have won 57. The balance 51 Test matches were drawn. It is interesting to note that during the period 1976 to 1988, 29 Tests were played between the two countries and England could not win a single Test match as West Indies had powerful sides led by C.H. Lloyd and I.V.A. Richards.

142 Test centuries have been scored by England batsmen against the West Indies which includes one triple century by A. Sandham [325 at Kingston in 1929-30] and ten other double centuries. A. Sandham’s triple century was the first triple century in World test cricket.

• The first Test match between the two countries was played in 1928 in a three-match test series in England. The England captain was A.P.F. Chapman while the West Indies team was led by R.K. Nunes. For the West Indies, it was their first ever test series

West Indies batsmen have 141 Test centuries to their credit against England. This includes B.C. Lara’s world record of 400 n.o. at St. John’s in 2003-04, his earlier record of 375 n.o. at the same venue in 1993-94, L.G. Rowe’s 302 at Bridgetown in 1973-74 and 14 other double centuries.  

Test records for England - West Indies tests are given above.