The West Indies cricket team is popularly known as The Windies and is the national cricket team of the country. This cricket team is represented by the sporting confederation of English speaking Caribbean countries. Generally the cricketing nations use their own national flags for representing their country. But since West Indies represents a number of independent and dependent states, there is no natural choice of the emblem. Therefore the West Indies Cricket Board has developed an insignia showing a palm tree and cricket stumps on a small sunny island. This insignia on a maroon background makes up the West Indian flag.

The West Indies Cricket team played its first test in 1928, and ever since has been one of the better sides in world cricket. From winning the first World Cup to West Indies Brian Lara being the only cricketer in history to get a score of 400 in international cricket, West Indies cricket has a lot to boast about.





After obtaining Test status in 1928, West Indies played their first Test against England the same year at the Lord's cricket ground. They were a very dominating force in world cricket and with time their performance just kept getting better and better. In the mid 1970s and 1980s West Indies emerged as the best team in the world, in both forms of the game. However the team showed signs of decline in the late 1990s and unfortunately, the slump still continues.

The West Indies Cricket team gained immense popularity in the 1960s and with some immensely talented players in the side, the team kept on emerging victories on occasions after occasions. The team were especially strong in the 1980s when they won 11 consecutive tests. However West Indian cricket has shown a sharp decline in the 1990s and 2000s and the team has indeed lost its old glory. This is largely due to the economic crunch in the West Indies and also due to lack of interest in the game in the Caribbean.





West Indies have always boated of having some of the greatest cricketers in the world. From the flamboyant Viv Richards, to the devastating Courtney Walsh and of course current hero Brian Lara, the team has never had a dearth of talent. In the current squad Brian Lara is the best player. He is even considered one of the best in the world and is capable of single handedly guiding the team to victory on his day. That apart , the team also has other brilliant batsman like Ramnaresh sarwan, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Though the bowling department is a little weak, West Indies still have some talented bowlers like Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best and Corey Collymore.

Once upon a time West Indies were dictators in world cricket. The bowlers wrecked wickets as well as batsmen. The West Indies batsmen usually toyed with the opposition bowlers. The West Indies cricket has somewhat deteriorated from that position to the present level where the bowlers lack pace and direction and the batsmen lacking strong technique. Few players have still worked hard to show cricket the West Indies way. They know that they are two time world champions. West Indies will try to rise for the occasion in 2007 world cup.