It is the dawn of a free Caribbean. The islands Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica and Antigua had just been granted independence. Cricket, was more than a game. It was a matter of honor - an aspect in which the West Indians could unite and prove to themselves of self-worth and instill a sense of revolution against prevalent white supremacy in all regards. Until now, they have been a people under suppression, withered and tired of racial hegemony and of bad governance. But now, under a new banner of a cricketing nation - they would soon emerge as a superpower.
1975
Australia
The West Indies cricket s team, akin to their lifestyle in the island have always been construed as a laidback people with a ' relax and recreate' approach to life. This facet of the lifestyle had crept into their cricket as well. They were branded 'Calypso Cricketers'; they would entertain and eventually lose. With remarks such as these and with the death bowling of the Australia's Jeff Thompson and Dennis Lilee, literally terrorized teams had pulverized the team's spirit and ability to hold up. And such aggression culminated in the West Indies test team losing 5-1 to Australia.
But this didn’t not suggest a full stop, indeed things tipped the other way. It triggered a new wave of West Indian approach to cricket - pace and aggression. Under the cap of Clive Lloyd and the massive inspiration of Viv Richards, emerged the pace duo of West Indies - Michael Holding and Andy Roberts. While Holding was a sheer pace machine, with deliveries that could pummel batsmen to being knocked out, Roberts was an mean bowler, a man often considered grumpy who could just hide his emotions, but deliver all he could with his ball. This kind of a spirit was unbelievable - a fresh new wave to the West Indian cricket team's morale. They were the rising underdogs.
1976
England
This was a rather emotional moment for the West Indies. They were taking on their proverbial (historical) masters and the inventors of cricket in their own game and field. This feeling of unsettlement was further infuriated by Tony Greig's rather unprofessional words on television: "I intend with the help of others to make them (West Indians) 'grovel'". They could take no more. This had struck the wrong nerve. To the West Indians, it was their chance to prove that they're equals and winning the game was of prime importance. England would even go to the extent of trying to ban bouncers and long run ups, to somehow stifle the aggression of the West Indies bowlers. But the West Indians wouldn't relent. They would go on to win the series, ultimately proving their worth as unparalleled equals. Subsequently, they would beat the homecoming Indians literally by sheer power and pace to the extent that India would surrender.
1977
The World Series
Cricket was assuming a new and different form now. The pristineness of Test match cricket was smudged a bit with the low financial benefit. There emerged the first twinge of commercialization of the game - The World Series Cricket. Australian TV mogul Kerry Packer was an enterprising man. He was instrumental in resurrecting the game, giving it a new form and appearance. Despite imminent threats of a ban from the national team, the West Indians stuck on. Kerry Packer gave the most wanted team the inspiration to keep alive the expectations of it's fans. And they lived up to it. West Indies had morally victory of the World Series Cricket. This gave them renewed confidence in themselves as a team.
1979
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
West Indies were now preparedly stocked with a set of bowlers. They had the intimidating pace quartet in their arsenal often called Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - Michael "Whispering Death" Holding, Andy "Hitman" Roberts, Colin Croft and a young,strikingly lanky menacing bowler - Joel Garner. Their aggression was unimaginable and the wolves would hunt as a pack . This time, they were able to counter the Australians with a fitting reply to their harsh attitude towards the game. The Australians got a bitter taste of their own medicine. West Indians as a nation of peoples, as musicians and citizens joined alike to garner support to their team.
1982
South Africa
This was a moment of reckoning. While the national and ethnic pride of the West Indians was at the peak, the South Africa series was a tough choice. The West Indies, through music, cricket and political propaganda had developed a sense of brotherhood and cultural oneness for all the suppression that their African brothers underwent in their continent. While team South Africa had been banned from cricket for the practice of Apartheid, some considered the West Indies playing for a country that harbors such an injustice was preposterous. No amount of 'artificial honor' could be imposed on players like Viv Richards and Michael Holding. An interesting dichotomy arises here. Players like Colin Croft, who went on to play the tour were ultimately banned by the West Indies board forever. In his defense, Croft justifies saying that calling him a mercenary was very humiliating. For him the game remained a game, and if he was a mercenary now, so was he during the World series. Such a situation beckoned to reconsider the players approach to the game.
1984
The Indomitable
This was a period of continued domination. What started out as aggression and fiery bowling attack also paved way to a classy display of batting power by Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. Richards could meet the bowlers eye to eye, and rip their deliveries past boundaries unseen. He was regarded as a new hero - a cultural icon, both at home and internationally. This team also saw emergence of youngster bowlers like Malcolm Marshall, who would go on to play several more years of cricket. The new balanced nature of the West Indian cricket team spread a new wave of friendliness and display of gamesmanship. They were now being patted on their backs and shoulders by the England team. What started out as a statement to prove as equals had been achieved. West Indies had won the series 5-0. Cultural exchange however had given some sort a universal brotherhood feeling. And a new form of love for the game was born.
1985-1995
Years of continued glory
Clive Lloyd would step down as captain. Viv Richards would take over. With a fresh approach to the game, well seasoned in all conditions, West Indies would go on to play test cricket the next ten years without have been defeated even in a single series. This was a world record, that no other sporting team had achieved.
Footnote: The only other team that stayed unbeaten for close to 3 decades was the Indian hockey team.
In the words of Venky : "The Indian hockey team, from 1928 to 1956 won 6 Gold medals in 6 Olympics. They never ever lost in 28 years (you may take off 6 years due to World War). And in my opinion, these 2 teams offer interesting studies. World beaters - at one point of time"
