On this day: West Indies complete a historic 5-0 win over England

The Wisden Trophy between England and West Indies began in 1963 which saw the Caribbean team winning the first two series while the English side claimed the next two series. The mighty West Indies started their domination since 1973. They held the trophy for the next five series as they won nine matches and lost only one across those series. When West Indies toured England in 1984 for a 5-match series, they had not lost any of the previous 13 Tests.

Historic beginning

The series opener was hosted by Birmingham where the Caribbean team piled 606 runs with centuries from Larry Gomes and Sir Viv Richards. England managed to score only 191 and 235 respectively with Joel Garner taking nine wickets in the game.

The second Test at Lord’s witnessed much better performance from the hosts who declared their second essay at 300/9 after taking a lead of 41 runs in the first innings. But West Indies chased the 342-run target in only 66.4 overs as Gordon Greenidge smashed an unbeaten 214 off 242 balls.

The West Indies sealed the series at Headingley which was the 3rd game of the 5-match series. An unbeaten ton from Larry Gomes and a 7-wicket haul by Malcolm Marshall with a broken thumb played a key role in handing an 8-wicket victory for the visitors.

Completing 5-0 triumph:

Greenidge scored his second double ton of the series as he amassed 223 in West Indies’ total of 500 at Old Trafford which proved enough for an innings and 64-run win. England were bowled out for 156 while following-on after scoring 280 in the first essay.

The final Test at The Oval was quite important for England even though the result would hardly make a difference to the series result. But for England, it was a matter of pride to ensure they don’t get whitewashed in a 5-match series that too on home soil. England bundled out West Indies for 190 but a 5-wicket haul from Marshall ensured West Indies still took a 28-run lead.

Desmond Haynes took the game away from England’s reach with a gritty hundred. They made 346 in the second dig, setting a target of 375 in front of the hosts. Ian Botham scored a breezy 51-ball 54 before they were bowled out for 202 only. West Indies’ 5-0 win in this series, till date, remains as the only time a visiting side whitewashed the hosts during a Test series of five or more matches.