Edgbaston has hosted some unbelievable Test Matches between two of the greatest Test nations of all time, England and West Indies, and this summer will be the 10th Test in Birmingham between these sides. West Indies currently lead 4-2 after recording wins in 1984, 1991, 1995 and 2000.
West Indies dominated world cricket
From the mid-to-late 1970s to the early 1990s, the West Indies team was the strongest in the world in both Test and One Day International cricket. A number of cricketers considered among the best in the world have hailed from the West Indies: Sir Garfield Sobers, Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall, Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh and Sir Viv Richards have all been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. The West Indies were the first team to win back-to-back World Cups (1975 and 1979), and appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals (1975, 1979 and 1983).
From the mid-to-late 1970s to the early 1990s, the West Indies team was the strongest in the world in both Test and One Day International cricket.
England v West Indies – as it happened!
The first Test at Edgbaston between England and West Indies took place in 1957. The tourists took a commanding 288-run lead after the first innings, but centuries from MC Cowdrey (154) and PBH May (285) secured a draw for England. In 1963, England claimed their first victory at Edgbaston over the Windies after securing a 217 run win. Chasing 309 to win, West Indies were bowled out for just 91 in their second innings thanks to Trueman’s brilliant bowling figures of 7-44. The two sides went head-to-head again in 1973 in a very competitive and even Test which produced another fascinating draw. RC Fredericks for West Indies opened the batting and struck a magnificent 150 to get the Windies the early advantage. However, this advantage was wiped out by Dennis Amiss who hit half centuries in both innings which included an 86 not out in the second innings.
Four straight wins for the Windies
The West Indies were now the best Test team in the world and England soon found out just why. The Windies demolished England at Edgbaston in 1984 by an innings and 180 runs thanks to centuries from Larry Gomes (143) and Sir Viv Richards (117). England were on the over end of another heavy defeat in 1991 when they lost by 7 wickets. They were simply unable to live with the speed and bounce from the formidable West Indies attack which included Ambrose, Patterson, Walsh and Marshall.
England were simply unable to live with the speed and bounce from the formidable West Indies attack which included Ambrose, Patterson, Walsh and Marshall.
The same pattern occurred in 1995 when Walsh and Bishop bowled England out for just 89 runs in the second innings to help the Windies to their third straight Edgbaston Test victory – this time the Windies won by an innings and 64 runs. The Windies had the perfect combination – players that can score considerable runs and the best bowlers in the world who were at the peak of their career. The Edgbaston crowd could only applaud Courtney Walsh once again in the 2000 Test as he claimed match figures of 8-58. He guided his team to yet another victory in Birmingham as the Windies ran out comfortable winners once again by an innings and 93 runs.
England end the West Indies winning streak in 2004
England won by 256 runs at Edgbaston, with Giles taking 5-57 for a stunning match haul of 9-122.
Giles became the first English spinner since Tony Lock in 1958 to get at least nine wickets in two successive Tests .
By gaining a 2-0 lead in the series, England retained the Wisden Trophy. Chris Gayle had a fine day in a losing cause, taking 5-34 as England were all out for 248 and then hitting 82. But his deeds were eclipsed by Giles, who became the first English spinner since Tony Lock in 1958 to get at least nine wickets in two successive Tests after his 9-210 at Lord’s in the previous Test. The Test also saw Marcus Trescothick becoming the first Englishman at Edgbaston to record centuries in both innings and Andrew Flintoff smashing 167 runs in just 191 balls.
Interesting facts between the two sides
- PBH May batted for an incredible 600 minutes on his way to scoring 285 runs in the 1957 Test
- Marcus Trescothick is the only Englishman to have scored a Test century in both innings of the match. He did this in 2004 when England beat the West Indies by 256 runs
- FS Trueman recorded figures of 12-119 in 1963 as England beat West Indies by 217 runs
- Flintoff hit 24 boundaries, which included 7 maximums, as he smashed 167 runs in the 2004 Test
- Tino Best was just 5 runs short of his maiden Test century when he was bowled out for 95 in 2012
Ticket update for their 10th encounter at Edgbaston
Joe Root’s England take on Jason Holder’s West Indies in the UK’s first ever day/night Test Match from Thursday 17th August. Demand on tickets for this historic match has been huge with day 2 (Friday 18 August) and day 3 (Saturday 19 August) on the verge of selling-out.
Tickets are on-sale priced from just £26 for adults and £6 for juniors (U16s) but please hurry as there is limited availability in most areas of the ground. Please click here or call the ticket hotline on 0844 847 1902.
Treat Yourself to Hospitality
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