West Indian players are generally regarded as tall, hard-hitting, heavily builtplayers who are well suited to shorter formats. While some of it may be true, it is not entirely correct. Many West Indian players have gone on to become some of the best Test cricketers of all time. Here, in this article, we look atsome of the longest-serving West Indian cricketers in Test cricket and their records in the most demanding format.
1. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (164 MATCHES)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, one of the most unorthodox batters of all time, tops the list of the longest-serving Test cricketers for the West Indies. Chander paul started his Test career in 1994 against England and played his last match in2015. He got to represent the Windies in 164 Test matches. During his Test tenure, he amassed 11867 runs at an impressive average of 51.37. He has also made 30 centuries in his Test career, the second highest for any West Indian batter.
2. Courtney Walsh (132 MATCHES)
Next, we have Courtney Walsh, a West Indian veteran and an all-time great. Herepresented West Indies in Test cricket from 1984 to 2001 in a staggering 132matches. The tall right-arm fast bowler hails from Jamaica and is the highest wicket-taker for the Windies in the longest format with 519 wickets. He formed a deadly trio with Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, whom all the batters in the 90s feared.
3. Brian Lara (130 MATCHES)
Brian Charles Lara, probably the name itself, tells everything about him. Thisstylish, left-handed, top-order batter played for West Indies in Test cricket for18 years (1990-2007) and represented them in 131 matches. With 11912 runsat an average of 53.17, he is the highest run scorer for the West Indies in Test cricket. He also holds the record for scoring 400 runs in a single inning. His charisma on and off the field has mesmerized many.
4.Vivian Richards (121 MATCHES)
Vivian Richards is up next, unquestionably one of the most fierce and ferocious batters of all time. He was elegant, captivating, and a pure entertainer. He made his Test debut in 1974 against India in Bengaluru and went on to play121 matches, scoring 8540 runs at an average of 50.23. He is regarded as oneof the most complete player of all time and is admired by even the world best players.
5. Desmond Haynes (116 MATCHES)
Desmond Haynes, an opening batter from Barbados, was a favorite amongst the spectators due to his stroke play. He was a solid player both physically and mentally, which allowed him to dominate any bowler in the world. From 1978to 1994, Haynes played Test cricket for the West Indies and scored 7487 runsin 116 matches at an average of 42.29. He also got his name on 18 Test centuries.
6. Clive Lloyd (110 MATCHES)
The next name on the list is the former two-time world cup-winning captain of the West Indies, Clive Lloyd. West Indies rose to become world cricket sheavyweights under his leadership. He made his Test debut in 1966 against India and retired in 1985 against Australia. In the 110 Test matches that he played for West Indies, he scored 7515 runs at an average of 46.67 with 19 hundred to his name.
7. Gordon Greenidge(108 MATCHES)
Next, we have another opening batter on the list, Gordon Greenidge. He and Desmond Haynes formed a lethal opening pair, with him being the more dominant and aggressive. Bowlers feared his stroke play and batting approach, which allowed him to be on top of the bowler every time. At an average of44.72 in 108 Test matches, Greenidge scored 7558 runs, including 19 centuries and 34 fifties.
8. Chris Gayle(103 MATCHES)
Another top-order batter which makes it onto the list is the ‘universe boss’, Chris Gayle. His power-hitting and entertaining capabilities in the shorter formats are well known to everyone, but he was as good in the longest format as well. This left-handed batter from Jamaica has two triple hundreds to his name in Test cricket and 15 hundred. In the 103 Test matches he played, he scored 7214 runs at an average of over 40 and also took 73 wickets, with best figures of 5 for 34.
9. Carl Hooper(102 MATCHES)
Next on the list is Carl Hooper, the all-rounder from Guyana who was anintegral part of the West Indian team in the 90s. He made his debut in 1987against India and played his last match against the same team in 2002. Carl
provided much-needed middle-order stability for a fiery West Indian team. In 102 Test matches, he scored 5762 runs and took 114 wickets with his off-spin.
10. Curtly Ambrose (98 MATCHES)
Curtly Ambrose, the bowling partner of Courtney Walsh and certainly one of the most dangerous bowlers of his time is next to feature on the list. During his98 Test match career, Ambrose took 405 wickets at an average of 20.99 and an economy of 2.30. His numbers are enough to justify his stature as a bowler .Besides his bowling, he also has close to 1500 Test runs, which is incredible for any tail-ender. He was indeed a player to have on your team.
