Best Windies Test XI of the Millennium

Purists of the game say the ultimate format of cricket will always be test cricket. It’s a battle of skill, nerve and discipline. West Indies teams of the past dominated the test cricketing world producing many legends renowned not only within the Caribbean but around the world. Any realistic Windies fan would have to admit that the new millennium has not been easy for our test teams in terms of results. That said we still have produced many quality individuals. What if we were able to put all our best players in the last 20 years into one team? What would that team look like?

I have put together my team of the millennium. That is, the best test XI from the year 2000 to now. For this team, a player’s record before 2000 will not be considered. For example, if a player’s career spanned from 1995 – 2005, only their performance from 2000-2005 will be looked at. This team will be made up of 5 batsmen, 1 wicketkeeper, 1 allrounder, 1 spinner and 3 fast bowlers.

Here goes… (In order of batting lineup):

1. Chris Gayle 

An easy selection to start. Gayle played 103 tests for the West Indies scoring over 7000 runs at an average of 42.18 and a top score of 333 against Sri Lanka in 2010. He is one of only two West Indians to register two scores over 300. He was strong at the top of the innings and had the ability to score a lot of runs at a fast rate. He amassed 15 centuries and 37 half centuries. He was also very handy will the ball; bowling offspin that got him 73 test wickets.

2. Kraigg Brathwaite

I think Kraigg would be a good partner for Gayle. He is a patient player who builds his innings and shows the kind of temperament that many people think is missing from a lot of West Indian batsmen. To date he has played 59 test matches and averages 33.29. He is one of the current players who seems to be a fairly sure selection. 

3. Ramnaresh Sarwan

Sarwan gets the nod at number 3, just keeping out Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels. Sarwan for a long time was reliable at 3 and made 15 centuries. He averaged 40.01 scoring a total of 5,842 runs in 87 matches. Bravo could have gotten into the team if there were more than 54 matches to judge him on – which he averaged 37.69 -. Samuels was a contender as well scoring 4000 odd test runs and also had 41 wickets but Sarwan I think would fit better into this team.

4. Brian Lara (capt)

Any explanation needed? Renowned as one of the best to ever play the gentleman’s game. Lara for many years was the back bone of the team. Lara came into the 2000’s with a stunning record and continued to flourish, scoring 21 of his 34 centuries from 2000 come forward. He is the West Indian with the most runs in test cricket (11,912) and is also the world record holder for an individual test score and only man on the planet to register 400* runs in a single test innings in 2004. He would easily walk onto any list like this. He is also my choice for skipper. 

5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul 

West Indies’ Mr. Cricket? He just loved to bat and bat and bat. His batting stance will never be in any text books but it worked for him. The ‘tiger’ was able to bat for hours and seemed to be determined to never get out. He scored 11867 runs in his career averaging over 50. After Lara’s retirement he became the backbone of the team and went to become one of the region’s best servants.

6. Denesh Ramdin (wk)

A difficult selection. We have seen many great glove-men in the West Indies over the years. Courtney Browne, Carlton Baugh Jr and Ridley Jacobs have all decent records behind the stumps. Even the current keeper Shane Dorwich looks to be a reliable keeper. However, I think Ramdin just about stumped them out (pun intended). He truly was an excellentwicketkeeperwith a dismissal per innings record of 1.66. In terms of batting perhaps Jacobs was slightly more consistent but not by much in my opinion, Ramdin get the pick.

7. Jason Holder (vc)

West Indies’ new found hope? A proper and honest cricketer. Holder seems to deliver with bat or ball at most times and is the current number one ranked allrounder in tests and number 3 in bowling. Who can forget his unbeaten double century against England or his 11/103 against Bangladesh. He has excellent leadership qualities as well and would be my pick for vice-captain. Mention must be made to Dwayne Bravo who would be in this team if I were picking more than one allrounder.

8. Kemar Roach

Roach is and has been in my opinion West Indies’ most consistent fast bowler of the 21^st century so far. He is able to bowl a proper line and length and read the conditions and adapt to them well. He has played in 56 tests to date taking 193 wickets at an average of 27.13. He also has a great economy rate of just over 3. He does not have the express pace that he started his career with but he still sends down some fast swinging deliveries that more often than not has batsmen very uncomfortable.

9. Devendra Bishoo

I think this is where West Indies has faltered in the last 20 years. There hasn’t been a spinner that’s been able to lock down a spot or that has shown a consistent performance. Often times the team has relied on part time spinners, Gayle, Samuels, Brathwaite and others. Sulieman Benn was decent with 87 wickets in 26 matches but so was (is?) Bishoo with 117 wickets from 36 matches. 

10. Fidel Edwards

A tossup between a few players. Shannon Gabriel has been good and holds the 3^rd best figures of any West Indian bowler – 13/121 against Sri Lanka in 2018 – and I think he may have been on this list if we do this again in the future. Corey Colleymore also was quite effective for a few years. However, I think Edwards was a bit more reliable than the others. He was able to bowl fast swinging deliveries with his trademark slinger action. He also possessed a deadly yorker. He went on to average 37 in 55 tests taking a total of 165 wickets.

11. Courtney Walsh

Now this was a tricky pick. We all know that Courtney Walsh was one of the best to play for the men in maroon and would walk onto any team or list. It is tricky to put him in as he only played 20 tests from 2000-2001 (his retirement). His damage was done mostly in the 1980’s and 1990’s so it almost feels that I am denying another player who has played more tests in the 2000’s. That said in those 20 tests, Walsh was able to take 93 wickets which is an excellent return. Is there anyone who has played more and warrants a place before him? I’m not sure. He’s in based a lot on reputation but I think if Walsh is available, you pick him.

So that’s my squad for the best Windies test team since 2000. What could have this team achieved if they played together? Do you agree with the squad? Be sure to comment your picks for the best test team of the millennium.