Gone with the Windies

AFTER sun and sand, the West Indies Test cricket team may be the best known symbol of the English-speaking Caribbean. From 1980 to 1995, the side was unbeaten in 29 consecutive series it played. The Windies’ success helped forge a sense of unity among the 16 countries and dependencies the team represents, paving the way for other joint efforts like Caricom, a regional organisation. Viv Richards, a captain of the glory days, called the side, hyperbolically, “the only sporting team of African descent that has been able to win repeatedly against all international opposition,” bringing “joy to our people.”