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England went to the Caribbean having not won a series there since 1968. While England drew the following series in 1974, they lost the next five series. However, the tables had turned for this series. England held fourth place and was on the rise while the ongoing demise of the West Indies had seen them fall from the top team to eighth place with a near record low rating.
Before the series began, England held a 62 ratings point lead over the West Indies. In effect, the higher rating meant that England was expected to win for the first time in 25 years.
England took the first three Tests in the series by significant margins. The first Test ended with a ten wicket victory after West Indies was dismissed for a record low total of 47 runs in Jamaica. The second Test saw West Indies bowled out for 208 and 209 runs with the margin seven wickets. In the Third Test, West Indies was bowled out for another sub one hundred total of 94 runs as England won by eight wickets
England had inflicted more scars on the West Indian fans at a very bad time for West Indian cricket. West Indian cricket is at a crossroads. The advent of satellite television and the proximity of the Caribbean to the United States means their screens full of sports from both North and South America on US networks. The popularity of basketball and soccer is on the rise. Continuing losses by the cricket team further undermine the popularity of cricket across the nations that make up the West Indies.
Those supporters who remember the height of West Indian cricket during the 20 years ending in 1995 pine for a team who can compete. Sadly, that is unlikely to occur any time soon against any of the top six Test nations.
The heroics of Brian Lara in the fourth Test, when the series was lost, may be all that the West Indian fans will have for a considerable time. To put the innings in context, Lara was three - nil down and with a series average of 16.7 from six innings. Upon winning the toss, Lara elected to bat. Suddenly, Lara's form erupted and on day two, Lara joined Bradman as the only men to pass 300 runs twice in their career.
The third day gave Lara the opportunity to reclaim from Matthew Hayden (380) the individual Test innings world record. Lara had held the record for almost ten years prior to October 2003. Lara went on to become the first man to make 400 in one Test innings. The West Indian innings of 751 runs was the highest ever scored against England. Unfortunately, West Indies was unable to convert that into a consolation victory and the Test ended in a draw after England batted out the final day.
From the West Indian perspective, the Lara innings may be a last incandescence near the end of his era in Test cricket. At best, Lara may have five more years remaining if he is lucky and can remain motivated. The West Indies production line of world class batsmen has followed the same route as their production line of fast bowlers: Richards, Richardson and Lara do not have an heir apparent for the next era.
As a result of the series against England, West Indies retain eighth place in the ratings. However, West Indies now holds its lowest rating in history of 987 points. Their previous worst rating of 990 points was set in 1933. Fortunately, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are holding West Indies out of last position and that is unlikely to change any time soon.
England retains fourth place at this time with 1084 points. However, if Pakistan loses the third Test against India, currently being payed in Rawalpindi, then England will move into third place. England now holds its highest rating since 1984, a time just before when they went on to win the Ashes in Australia in 1985 - the last time they won the Ashes.
England is now looking toward the next Ashes series more positively. However, Australia's lead over England in the ratings is currently 152 points, which is two and a half times the size of the English lead over West Indies before that series began. Reality can be bitter at time.
The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1236); 2. South Africa (1148); 3. Pakistan (1087); 4. England (1084); 5. India (1046); 6. New Zealand (1041); 7. Sri Lanka (1022); 8. West Indies (987); 9. Zimbabwe (891); 10. Bangladesh (793).
