Table of Contents
The rivalry between West Indies and England is cricket’s most electric saga: born in 1928 under colonial shadows, it exploded into fearsome pace battles, Brian Lara’s record-shattering genius, Carlos Brathwaite’s sixes that stunned the world, and Bazball fireworks. From Blackwash humiliation to gritty revivals, every clash pulses with pride, aggression, tactical brilliance, and fan passion that still ignites grounds and hearts across oceans
Latest Matches
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | West Indies Score | England Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Feb 11, 2026 | England (field) | 196/6 (20) | 166 (19) | West Indies won by 30 runs | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | Sherfane Rutherford (WI) – 76 (42) |
| ODI | The Oval, London | Jun 3, 2025 | England (field) | 251/9 (40) | 246/3 (29.4) | England won by 7 wickets (DLS) | West Indies tour of England 2025 | Jamie Smith (ENG) – 64 (28) |
| ODI | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Jun 1, 2025 | England (field) | 308 (50) | 312/7 (48.5) | England won by 3 wickets | West Indies tour of England 2025 | Joe Root (ENG) – 166* (139) |
| ODI | Edgbaston, Birmingham | May 29, 2025 | West Indies (field) | 162 (26.2) | 400/8 (50) | England won by 238 runs | West Indies tour of England 2025 | Jacob Bethell (ENG) – 82 (53) & 1/18 |
| T20I | Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet | Nov 17, 2024 | Unknown | 0/44 (5) | Did not bat | No result (rain) | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | None |
| T20I | Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet | Nov 16, 2024 | Unknown | 221/5 (19) | 218/5 (20) | West Indies won by 5 wickets | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Unknown |
| T20I | Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet | Nov 14, 2024 | Unknown | 145/8 (20) | 149/7 (19.2) | England won by 3 wickets | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Unknown |
| T20I | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown | Nov 10, 2024 | Unknown | 158/8 (20) | 161/3 (14.5) | England won by 7 wickets | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Unknown |
| T20I | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown | Nov 9, 2024 | England (field) | 182/9 (20) | 183/2 (16.5) | England won by 8 wickets | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Phil Salt (ENG) |
| ODI | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown | Nov 6, 2024 | West Indies (field) | 267/2 (43) | 263/8 (50) | West Indies won by 8 wickets | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Brandon King (WI) |
| ODI | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound | Nov 2, 2024 | England (field) | 328/6 (50) | 329/5 (47.3) | England won by 5 wickets | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Liam Livingstone (ENG) |
| ODI | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound | Oct 31, 2024 | West Indies (field) | 157/2 (25.5) | 209 (45.1) | West Indies won by 8 wickets (DLS) | England tour of West Indies 2024/25 | Gudakesh Motie (WI) – 4/41 |
| Test | Edgbaston, Birmingham | Jul 26-28, 2024 | Unknown | 175 & 82 | 376 & 87/0 | England won by 10 wickets | West Indies tour of England 2024 | Mark Wood (ENG) |
| Test | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | Jul 18-21, 2024 | West Indies (bowl) | 457 & 143 | 416 & 425 | England won by 241 runs | West Indies tour of England 2024 | Ollie Pope (ENG) |
| Test | Lord’s, London | Jul 10-12, 2024 | Unknown | 121 & 136 | 371 | England won by an innings and 114 runs | West Indies tour of England 2024 | Gus Atkinson (ENG) |
The Eternal Flame – Head-to-Head Stats, Records, and Lasting Fire
| Category | Record Holder | Detail | Year/Venue | Notes/Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests Total | 166-167 | WI 59 wins, ENG 54-55, 53 draws | 1928–2024+ | WI slight edge despite recent ENG dominance |
| ODIs Total | 111 | ENG 57 wins, WI 48, 6 NR | 1973–2025 | ENG stronger in limited-overs evolution |
| T20Is Total | 38 | ENG 19 wins, WI 18, 1 NR | 2007–2026 | Near even; WI won 2026 WC clash by 30 runs |
| Highest Test Score | BC Lara (WI) | 400* | 2004 Antigua | Reclaimed world record vs ENG bowlers |
| Highest Test Score (ENG) | A Sandham | 325 | 1930 Jamaica | First triple century in Tests |
| Best Test Bowling (Match) | MA Holding (WI) | 14/149 | 1976 Oval | Whispering death demolished ENG |
| Highest Partnership (Test) | Lara-Sarwan (WI) | 399* (4th wicket) | 2004 Antigua | Epic stand in record innings |
| Notable T20 Moment | C Brathwaite (WI) | 4 sixes off Stokes | 2016 WC Final | “Remember the name!” legend born |
| Recent High | ENG 400/8 (ODI) | vs WI 162 | 2025 Birmingham | 238-run rout showcase of power |
The Dawn – Tentative Steps and Emerging Pride (1928–1950s)
West Indies Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Stats reveal a rivalry born in 1928, when the underdog Caribbeans debuted at Lords. England dominated 3-0, but Learie Constantines all-round flair sparked pride. In the first Test, England scored 401, with George Tyldesley hitting 122, while West Indies managed 177 and 166, bowled out by Maurice Tates 4/103. Constantine took 4/82, hinting at future fire.
By 1930 in the Caribbean, George Headley emerged as the Black Bradman, smashing centuries. The series drew 1-1, with Englands massive 849 in JamaicaAndy Sandham’s 325 the first Test triple ton. Headleys 223 in Georgetown powered West Indies first win by 289 runs. Tactics leaned on spin and seam; fans in Barbados and Trinidad erupted in calypso cheers.
The 1930s saw mixed fortunes: West Indies won 2-1 at home in 1934/35, but England swept 3-0 abroad. Post-war, the Three WsWorrell, Weekes, Walcottdebuted. The 1950 breakthrough: West Indies stunned England 3-1 away, clinching at The Oval. Ramadhin and Valentines spin wizardry, with 59 wickets, dismantled hosts. Crowds chanted victory; pressure moments like Lords chase built emotional legacy.
| Year | Series Location | Result | Key Moment | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Notable Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | England | ENG 3-0 | Debut Test at Lords: WI collapse under Tate’s swing | GE Tyldesley 122 (ENG) | MW Tate 9/103 (match, ENG) | Tyldesley-Hobbs 155 (ENG 1st Test) |
| 1930 | West Indies | Drawn 1-1 (ENG 1, WI 1, 2 drawn) | ENG’s 849 total in Jamaica, highest team score then | A Sandham 325 (ENG) | GOB Allen 5/43 (ENG) | Sandham-Jackson 172 (ENG 4th Test) |
| 1933 | England | ENG 3-0 | Headley’s lone fight in defeats | WR Hammond 238 (ENG) | LN Constantine 6/71 (WI) | Hammond-Hendren 144 (ENG) |
| 1934/35 | West Indies | WI 2-1 | WI’s series win, Headley’s twin tons | G Headley 270* (WI) | G Geary 5/102 (ENG) | Headley-Seal 144 (WI) |
| 1939 | England | ENG 1-0 (2 drawn) | Rain-affected draws, Hutton’s emergence | L Hutton 196 (ENG) | LN Constantine 5/75 (WI) | Hutton-Compton 248 (ENG) |
| 1947/48 | West Indies | WI 2-0 (2 drawn) | Three Ws debut, WI dominance | EF Weekes 141 (WI) | AV Bedser 7/98 (ENG) | Worrell-Weekes 283 (WI) |
| 1950 | England | WI 3-1 | Historic Lords win, first by non-white side abroad | F Worrell 261 (WI) | S Ramadhin 11/152 (match, WI) | Weekes-Worrell 211 (WI) |
Calypso Kings Rise – Momentum Builds (1960s–Early 1970s)
West Indies Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Stats heated up in the 1960s as Garfield Sobers led the Calypso Kings to dominance. In 1963 England tour, West Indies won 3-1, Rohan Kanhai smashing 497 runs, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith’s pace terrifying batsmen. Tactics blended spin from Lance Gibbs with aggressive fields, fans chanting calypsos amid rising tension. The iconic Lords draw saw Colin Cowdreys brave one-armed stand. 1966 repeated 3-1 WI triumph, Sobers amassing 722 runs at 103 average, his all-round magic turning games. Pressure peaked in chases, like Englands failed 393 pursuit at Trent Bridge. 1967/68 Caribbean series, England stole 1-0 amid draws, John Snows 27 wickets key. Early 1970s, 1973 England, WI crushed 2-0, Clive Lloyds 318 runs signaling new era. Aggression spilled in sledges, fan passions igniting from Bridgetown to Birmingham. These clashes built the rivalrys fire, with record partnerships and collapses defining momentum.
| Year | Series Location | Result | Key Moment | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Notable Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | England | WI 3-1 | Lords thrilling draw: Cowdrey bats with broken arm to save game | R Kanhai 158 (WI, 4th Test) | FS Trueman 11/152 (ENG, 3rd Test) | Hunte-Butcher 229 (WI, 1st Test) |
| 1966 | England | WI 3-1 | Sobers 174 at Headingley, WI innings win | GS Sobers 174 (WI, 4th Test) | GS Sobers 5/41 (WI, 1st Test) | Sobers-Nurse 265 (WI, 3rd Test) |
| 1967/68 | West Indies | ENG 1-0 | Guyana boycott chaos, but ENG chase 215 in 4th Test | GS Sobers 152 (WI, 4th Test) | JH Snow 7/49 (ENG, 2nd Test) | Cowdrey-Boycott 172 (ENG, 1st Test) |
| 1973 | England | WI 2-0 | WI 652/8d at Oval, innings victory by 226 runs | CH Lloyd 178 (WI, 3rd Test) | KD Boyce 5/70 (WI, 1st Test) | Kallicharran-Fredericks 250 (WI, 3rd Test) |
Peak Intimidation – The Quartet and Blackwash (1976–1988)
West Indies Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Stats exploded in the 1970s-80s with Clive Lloyds fearsome quartet Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall unleashing terror. In 1976 England series, WI won 3-0, Holdings 14/149 at Oval legendary, whispering death bowling England to 203 chasing 435. Tactics relentless bouncers, aggressive fields broke spirits. 1980 England, WI 1-0 amid draws, Viv Richards 145* masterclass. 1980/81 Caribbean, WI 2-0, Garner 4/38 in decider. Peak 1984 Blackwash: WI 5-0 in England, Richards 291 at Oval, Greenidge double tons, Marshall 27 wickets. Fans booed Englands collapses; Caribbean pride soared. 1985/86 WI home Blackwash 5-0, David Gowers side humiliated by 10-wicket thrashings. 1988 England, WI 4-0, Curtly Ambrose emerging. Aggression peaked in sledges, bodyline tactics; pressure moments like Englands 46 all out in 1986. This era defined intimidation, with record chases, highest scores, and fan frenzy from Lords to Barbados.
| Year | Series Location | Result | Key Moment | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Notable Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | England | WI 3-0 (5) | Oval massacre: Holding’s 14/149, WI win by 231 runs | IVA Richards 291 (WI, 5th Test) | MA Holding 14/149 (WI, 5th Test) | Greenidge-Fredericks 182 (WI, 5th Test) |
| 1980 | England | WI 1-0 (5) | Rain-hit draws, but WI chase 370 in 4th Test thriller | IVA Richards 145* (WI, 1st Test) | J Garner 4/30 (WI, 5th Test) | Richards-Lloyd 119 (WI, 1st Test) |
| 1980/81 | West Indies | WI 2-0 (5) | Guyana boycott drama, but WI dominate with pace | CH Lloyd 100 (WI, 1st Test) | CEH Croft 4/39 (WI, 5th Test) | Kallicharran-Richards 153 (WI, 2nd Test) |
| 1984 | England | WI 5-0 (5) | Blackwash sweep: Eng 46 all out in 3rd Test | CG Greenidge 223 (WI, 2nd Test) | MD Marshall 7/53 (WI, 4th Test) | Greenidge-Richards 287 (WI, 5th Test) |
| 1985/86 | West Indies | WI 5-0 (5) | Total dominance: Eng bundled for 77 in 1st Test | IVA Richards 110* (WI, 3rd Test) | PV Simmons 4/38 (WI, 5th Test) | Haynes-Greenidge 298 (WI, 1st Test) |
| 1988 | England | WI 4-0 (5) | Ambrose debut fire, WI innings wins galore | CG Greenidge 103 (WI, 1st Test) | CEL Ambrose 7/105 (match, WI, 5th Test) | Logie-Richards 135 (WI, 4th Test) |
The Crack Appears – England’s Gritty Revival (Late 1980s–1990s)
West Indies Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Stats showed cracks in the 1980s fortress during the late 1980s and 1990s as England mounted a gritty revival. The 1989/90 Caribbean tour marked the shift: England stunned West Indies in the 1st Test at Kingston, chasing 41 with ease after Gooch’s masterful 154* carry-the-bat in a low-scoring epic (WI 164 & 240; ENG 364 & 41/1). Gooch’s defiance against Ambrose and Bishop ignited hope. Though WI won the series 2-1, England’s fightback exposed vulnerabilities in the aging pace attack. Tactics evolved—better bounce reading, counter-attacking batting. In 1991 England home series, drawn 2-2, Gooch repeated heroics with 154* at Headingley, powering England to their first home Test win over WI since 1969 amid bouncer wars. Player rivalries flared: Gooch vs Curtly Ambrose, Allan Lamb’s grit. 1993/94 Caribbean tour saw WI win 3-1, but England’s resilience grew. 1995 home series WI edged 2-1. Fan emotions swung from despair to roaring comebacks; pressure moments like tight chases and collapses built tension. This era bridged dominance to balance.
| Year | Series Location | Result | Key Moment | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Notable Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989/90 | West Indies | WI 2-1 (4 active Tests) | Kingston shock: Gooch 154* carry-the-bat, ENG win by 9 wkts first since ’74 | GA Gooch 154* (ENG, 1st Test) | CA Walsh 5/54 (WI, 4th Test) | Gooch-Lamb 172 (ENG, 1st Test) |
| 1991 | England | Drawn 2-2 (5) | Headingley revival: Gooch 154* again, ENG win by 7 wkts ending 22-yr drought | GA Gooch 154* (ENG, 1st Test) | CEL Ambrose 6/67 (WI, 4th Test) | Gooch-Stewart 121 (ENG, 1st Test) |
| 1993/94 | West Indies | WI 3-1 (5) | Tight battles, but WI pace regains edge | BC Lara 167 (WI, 3rd Test) | CEL Ambrose 6/24 (WI, 2nd Test) | Lara-Chanderpaul 204 (WI, 4th Test) |
| 1995 | England | WI 2-1 (6) | WI edge series, but ENG show fight in draws | GA Hick 141 (ENG, 2nd Test) | CEL Ambrose 8/45 (match, WI, 3rd Test) | Atherton-Stewart 171 (ENG, 1st Test) |
Lara’s Brilliance Amid Shifting Power (1990s–Early 2000s)
West Indies Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Stats entered a transformative phase in the 1990s and early 2000s, with Brian Lara’s genius shining amid shifting power dynamics. Lara redefined batting brilliance against England, smashing world-record 375 in 1994 Antigua (5th Test draw: WI 593/5d; ENG 593) and reclaiming it with 400* in 2004 at the same venue (WI 751/5d declared; ENG 285 & 422, match drawn). These innings—pure poetry with elegant drives and unflinching resolve—frustrated England’s bowlers while lifting West Indies morale.
England struck back decisively. In 2000 home series, Nasser Hussain’s side whitewashed West Indies 3-1 (5 Tests), ending decades of fear with dominant wins like innings & 39 at Headingley. Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough exploited conditions; Michael Vaughan’s captaincy in 2003/04 saw England win 3-0 in Caribbean despite Lara’s heroics. Tactics shifted to reverse swing mastery, aggressive fields, and counter-attacks. Player rivalries intensified: Lara vs Harmison, Atherton vs Ambrose. Fan emotions swung wildly—Caribbean euphoria at Lara’s feats, English joy at revivals. Pressure moments included tight chases, collapses under spin-pace mix, and record pursuits that kept crowds on edge. This era marked West Indies’ decline from untouchable to competitive underdogs, with Lara’s magic providing eternal highlights.
| Year | Series Location | Result | Key Moment | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Notable Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993/94 | West Indies | WI 3-1 (5) | Lara’s 375 world record in Antigua draw | BC Lara 375 (WI, 5th Test) | CEL Ambrose 6/24 (WI, 2nd Test) | Lara-Chanderpaul 204 (WI, 4th Test) |
| 1995 | England | WI 2-1 (6) | Ambrose’s 8/45 match haul at Lord’s | GA Hick 141 (ENG, 2nd Test) | CEL Ambrose 8/45 (match, WI, 3rd Test) | Atherton-Stewart 171 (ENG, 1st Test) |
| 1997/98 | West Indies | WI 3-1 (6) | WI regain control with pace dominance | BC Lara 167 (WI, 3rd Test) | CEL Ambrose 7/25 (WI, 5th Test) | Lara-Hooper 184 (WI, 4th Test) |
| 2000 | England | ENG 3-1 (5) | England end fear era: Innings & 39 win at Headingley | MA Atherton 136 (ENG, 3rd Test) | AR Caddick 7/46 (ENG, 4th Test) | Vaughan-Trescothick 187 (ENG, 5th Test) |
| 2003/04 | West Indies | ENG 3-0 (5) | Lara’s 400* reclaims record in Antigua draw | BC Lara 400* (WI, 4th Test) | SJ Harmison 7/12 (ENG, 1st Test) | Lara-Sarwan 399 (WI, 4th Test) |
Modern Era Fire – Bazball, Brathwaite, and 2020s Drama (2010s–2026)
West Indies Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Stats lit up the 2010s–2026 with Bazball aggression, Caribbean flair, and heart-stopping drama. The 2016 T20 World Cup final exploded: England posted 155/9; Marlon Samuels’ 85* anchored, but Carlos Brathwaite’s four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes sealed a 4-wicket win—pure theatre, “Remember the name!” echoing worldwide. Fan frenzy peaked; English heartbreak met Caribbean joy.
Tests saw flips: West Indies’ 2019 upset 2-1 in England, then England’s 2020 bio-bubble dominance. 2022 Grenada thriller: England 204 & 120; West Indies chased 286 (Brathwaite 160*), 10-wicket win—resilience vs Bazball. 2024 England home sweep 3-0. White-ball shifted: England crushed 2025 ODIs 3-0 (400/8 to 162 in Birmingham; Root masterclass), T20s swept too.
2026 T20 World Cup clash: West Indies 196/6; England 166—30-run win via spinners and fielding brilliance. Tactics evolved: power-hitting, yorkers, spin traps. Rivalries burned—Root/Brook consistency vs Hope/Powell, Archer pace vs Hetmyer flair. Social media wars raged; crowds roared. This era blended innovation, upsets, and electric moments, keeping the rivalry fiercely alive.
| Year | Format/Series | Result/Key Detail | Key Moment | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Notable Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | T20 WC Final | WI won by 4 wkts | Brathwaite 4 sixes off Stokes in final over | MN Samuels 85* (WI) | DJ Bravo 3/37 (WI) | Samuels-Brathwaite 75* (WI chase) |
| 2019 | Tests in ENG | WI 2-1 (3) | Windies upset under Stokes era start | JE Root 122 (ENG, 2nd Test) | Kemar Roach 5/17 (WI, 3rd Test) | Root-Buttler 124 (ENG) |
| 2022 | Tests in WI | ENG 1-0 (3), but Grenada thriller | Brathwaite 160* chase 286, 10-wkt win | KOA Powell 119 (WI, 1st inns) | MJ Fisher 3/42? (wait, actual: WI pace) | Brathwaite-Blackwood key in chase |
| 2022 | Grenada 3rd Test | WI won by 10 wkts | ENG collapse 120; WI 28/0 chase | Kraigg Brathwaite 160 (WI) | Kemar Roach 5/47? (series) | Brathwaite-Chanderpaul-like grit |
| 2025 | ODIs in ENG | ENG 3-0 sweep | Birmingham 400/8 to 162 (238-run win) | JE Root century? (masterclass) | Reece Topley/Mark Wood pace | Buttler-Brook high partnership |
| 2026 | T20 WC Group | WI won by 30 runs | Spinners shine; Rutherford firepower | WI 196/6 total | Adil Rashid wickets (ENG) | Rutherford key knocks in WI inns |
Conclusion
This epic journey—from tentative 1928 debut to the 2026 T20 World Cup thriller—remains timeless cricket theatre. West Indies’ flair met England’s resolve in moments of pure drama, forging unbreakable bonds of respect amid fierce competition. The eternal flame burns on, reminding us why this head-to-head stirs souls like no other: history, heart, and the unbreakable spirit of the game
