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A brief history
England v West Indies 1997-2004
Jenny Thompson
1928-1960 | 1960-1980 | 1980-1995 | 1995-2004
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Curtley and Courtney's double act had to end sometime... sad for them and the fans, relief for batsmen everywhere
© Getty Images
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1997-98
Wisden Almanack | Cricinfo
If you're going to bat on a cabbage patch, you don't want to be facing Curtley and Courtney. Unfortunately, that's what happened to England at Sabina Park, Kingston, when the first Test had to be abandoned on the first day owing to a dangerous pitch. The Test stood, and the tour was extended to six official matches, West Indies' first six-Test home series. Three close games left them 1-1 with two matches to play, but West Indies pulled away with a crunching 242-run win in the penultimate Test. Then came the most convincing victory of the lot, West Indies winning the last Test at Antigua by an innings and 52 runs to take the honours. Still, the scoreline was a touch deceptive - the sides were evenly matched with West Indies not the force they were, and England on the rise.
Tests: West Indies 3 England 1 Drawn 1
ODIs: West Indies 4 England 1
2000
Wisden Almanack | Cricinfo
A new millennium, a new era for the West Indies/England tussles. After 27 years of dominance, West Indies succumbed to England - and a new period of England ascendancy emerged. Quite a turnaround from the previous year when England were booed by their pitiful performance at home in the World Cup. The heroic Curtly and Courtney left the Test stage, and left behind a shambles, made all the more painful as West Indies had arrived hopeful, after beating Zimbabwe and Pakistan at home, and without Lara. Prospects were good when they won the first Test convincingly. But it was the last time, to date, West Indies beat England in a Test. The turning point was in the second Test when they contrived to lose after a first-innings lead of 133, being rolled for 54 - their lowest total against England and a low point indeed. England seized the day and the series, searing on to two more emphatic victories.
Tests: England 3 West Indies 1
ODIs: West Indies 1, England 3, Zimbabwe 3
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Steve Harmison - West Indies' tormentor throughout the noughties
© Getty Images
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2003-04 Wisden Almanack | Cricinfo
England had the temerity to enter West Indies' backyard and win the first three matches; their most successful tour there. A draw in the fourth and final Test which included Brian Lara's world-record 400 wasn't enough to spare the home side's blushes and he himself said his innings "was nothing to rant or rave about." Pacy pitches favoured England's quicks who ran through West Indies first up at Kingston, Steve Harmison taking 7 for 12 to wrap up the second innings. Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard both played a role, too, and England's dominance - "a well-marshalled invading force," said Wisden - was complete.
Tests: West Indies 0 England 3 Drawn 1
ODIS: West Indies 2 England 2 Abandoned 2
2004 Wisden Almanack | Cricinfo
England continued to sweep West Indies away, this time on home soil, where they took the series 4-0. "Vaughan's team were beginning to expect to win even when the going was toughest", remarked Wisden in admiration. West Indies had talented youngsters who could not prosper - and their inexperienced pace trio were flayed by England. Problems beset them even before the tour: Sir Viv Richards, the chairman of selectors, also took a TV role and often criticised them - justly, but of no help to their psyche. During the series, Gus Logie's lack of authority as a coach did nothing to help the cause and England took full advantage.
Tests: England 4 West Indies 0
ODIs: England 3 West Indies 2 No result 2
1928-1960 | 1960-1980 | 1980-1995 | 1995-2004
© Cricinfo
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