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The England Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team timeline is one of the longest and most historic rivalries in international cricket. The two teams have competed against each other for more than a century, producing legendary players, dramatic Test series, World Cup encounters and memorable limited-overs matches.
England and the West Indies first met in Test cricket in 1928, when the West Indies toured England for their inaugural Test series. Since then, the rivalry has evolved through several distinct eras. The West Indies dominated Test cricket for much of the 1970s and 1980s, while England have enjoyed periods of resurgence in the modern era.
The rivalry has featured iconic names such as Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers, Malcolm Marshall, Brian Lara, Michael Holding, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch, Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and Joe Root.
In white-ball cricket, the teams have also produced some extraordinary encounters, including the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup final, while the 2019 Cricket World Cup produced another important chapter.
England vs West Indies Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Event | Result/Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | First Test series | England won 3–0 |
| 1930 | West Indies’ first Test win over England | West Indies won at Bridgetown |
| 1950 | West Indies tour England | West Indies won Test series 3–1 |
| 1954 | England regain Test series | England won 4–1 |
| 1963 | West Indies tour England | West Indies won 3–1 |
| 1976 | Historic Test series | West Indies won 3–0 |
| 1980 | West Indies tour England | West Indies won 1–0 |
| 1991 | England vs West Indies | West Indies won 2–0 |
| 1995 | England win Test series | England won 2–1 |
| 2000 | England win in the Caribbean | England won 3–1 |
| 2004 | Brian Lara’s 400* | World-record Test innings |
| 2007 | World Cup | West Indies won by 8 wickets |
| 2009 | England vs West Indies | England won Test series 2–0 |
| 2012 | West Indies in England | England won 2–0 |
| 2015 | England vs West Indies | Series drawn 1–1 |
| 2016 | T20 World Cup Final | West Indies won |
| 2017 | Test series | England won 2–1 |
| 2019 | Cricket World Cup | England won by 8 wickets |
| 2020 | Test series | England won 2–1 |
| 2022 | T20I series | England won 3–0 |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup Super 8 | England won by 8 wickets |
| 2025 | ODI series | England won 3–0 |
| 2025 | T20I series | England won 3–0 |
1928: The First Test Series
The rivalry officially began in Test cricket in 1928, when the West Indies toured England.
The West Indies had received Test status and played their first Test against England at Lord’s.
England dominated the three-Test series, winning all three matches.
1928 Test Series
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st Test | England won by an innings and 58 runs |
| 2nd Test | England won by an innings and 30 runs |
| 3rd Test | England won by 5 wickets |
| Series | England won 3–0 |
Although the series was one-sided, it marked the beginning of one of cricket’s most enduring international rivalries.
1930: West Indies Record Their First Test Win
Just two years after their Test debut, the West Indies achieved a historic breakthrough.
During their 1930 tour of the Caribbean, West Indies defeated England in the first Test at Bridgetown.
The victory demonstrated that the West Indies could compete with established Test nations and marked the beginning of their rise.
1950: The West Indies Announce Themselves in England
One of the major early turning points came in 1950, when the West Indies toured England.
The visitors won the four-Test series 3–1.
The tour became famous for the performances of West Indies spinners Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin, who caused England’s batting lineup major problems.
The West Indies victory established them as a serious force in Test cricket.
1954: England Respond
England responded strongly when the West Indies returned in 1954.
England won the five-Test series 4–1.
Frank Tyson produced one of the defining bowling performances of the series, particularly in the decisive Test at Kingston.
The alternating fortunes of the teams helped establish the competitive nature of the rivalry.
1963: West Indies Begin Another Strong Era
The West Indies returned to England in 1963 and won the five-Test series 3–1.
This period marked the emergence of a powerful West Indies side featuring players such as Garry Sobers, Rohan Kanhai and Wes Hall.
The West Indies’ ability to dominate England on English soil was a sign of their growing international strength.
1976: The Famous Fast-Bowling Series
The 1976 West Indies tour of England remains one of the most famous chapters in the rivalry.
The West Indies won the four-Test series 3–0.
The series became particularly memorable because of the intense pace bowling of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Wayne Daniel and Vanburn Holder.
Holding’s spell at The Oval became legendary. His fast bowling against England’s batsmen remains one of the most discussed performances in Test cricket.
The series also featured Viv Richards, who scored heavily against England.
1976 Series
| Statistic | West Indies |
|---|---|
| Series result | 3–0 |
| Tests | 4 |
| Famous venue | The Oval |
| Key players | Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts |
The 1976 series symbolized the West Indies’ growing dominance of world Test cricket.
1980: West Indies Continue Their Dominance
The West Indies remained one of the world’s strongest Test teams when they returned to England in 1980.
The five-Test series ended with a 1–0 West Indies victory, with the other four matches drawn.
England struggled to overcome a West Indies attack containing some of the world’s best fast bowlers.
1991: West Indies Still Hold the Advantage
The rivalry continued to favor the West Indies during the early 1990s.
In the 1991 series, West Indies defeated England 2–0 in a three-Test series.
However, the balance was beginning to shift.
England were gradually rebuilding, while the great West Indies generation was approaching the later stages of its dominance.
1995: England Win a Series Against the West Indies
A major turning point came in 1995.
England defeated the West Indies 2–1 in a six-Test series.
This was particularly significant because it ended a long period of West Indies dominance over England in Test series.
The emergence of players such as Darren Gough, Dominic Cork and Graham Thorpe contributed to England’s improvement.
2000: England Win in the Caribbean
England achieved another significant victory in 2000.
They toured the West Indies and won the five-Test series 3–1.
The victory was notable because winning a Test series in the Caribbean against the West Indies remained a major challenge.
England’s success suggested that the balance between the two sides was changing permanently.
2004: Brian Lara Scores 400 Not Out
The 2004 Test series produced one of the greatest individual performances in cricket history.
At St John’s, Antigua, Brian Lara scored 400 not out against England.
It remains the highest individual score in men’s Test cricket.
Lara’s innings came after England had scored 566/9 declared. West Indies eventually declared on 751/5, with Lara carrying his bat for 400.
Brian Lara’s 400*
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Runs | 400* |
| Balls | 582 |
| Fours | 43 |
| Sixes | 4 |
| Opposition | England |
| Venue | Antigua |
| Year | 2004 |
The match was drawn, but Lara’s innings became one of the defining moments in the history of the England-West Indies rivalry.
2007: West Indies Win the World Cup Meeting
England and West Indies met during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in Antigua.
England batted first and scored 185.
West Indies chased the target successfully, reaching 189/2 and winning by 8 wickets.
2007 World Cup
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| England | 185 |
| West Indies | 189/2 |
| Result | West Indies won by 8 wickets |
The result was particularly important because World Cup meetings between these two historically significant teams have always attracted considerable attention.
2009: England Win in the Caribbean
England returned to the West Indies in 2009 for a four-Test series.
The first Test in Jamaica ended in a dramatic West Indies victory, but England recovered.
The final Test at Bridgetown became a memorable contest, with England producing a huge first-innings score and eventually winning the series 2–1.
England’s comeback represented another important step in their modern rivalry with the West Indies.
2012: England Dominate at Home
The West Indies toured England in 2012 for a three-Test series.
England won the series 2–0, with one match drawn.
The series featured the emergence of several important English players, while Alastair Cook and Ian Bell made significant contributions with the bat.
2012 Test Series
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st Test | England won by 5 wickets |
| 2nd Test | Draw |
| 3rd Test | England won by 5 wickets |
| Series | England won 2–0 |
2015: A Closely Fought Series
The West Indies hosted England for a three-Test series in 2015.
The series ended 1–1, with one Test drawn.
England won the opening Test in Antigua, but the West Indies responded in the second Test at Grenada.
The third Test at Bridgetown was drawn.
This series showed that the West Indies remained capable of challenging England in Test cricket despite England’s stronger results in many recent meetings.
2016: One of Cricket’s Greatest T20 Finals
The 2016 ICC World T20 final in Kolkata produced one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the England-West Indies rivalry.
England scored 155/9 after batting first.
West Indies needed 19 runs from the final over.
Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes, completing an extraordinary victory with two balls remaining.
West Indies finished on 161/6 and won by 4 wickets.
2016 T20 World Cup Final
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| England | 155/9 |
| West Indies | 161/6 |
| Result | West Indies won by 4 wickets |
The match became famous for Brathwaite’s four sixes and remains one of the most memorable T20 finals ever played.
2017: England Win Another Test Series
The West Indies toured England in 2017 for three Tests.
England won the series 2–1.
The first Test at Edgbaston was especially notable because it was the first day-night Test played in England.
England won the opening match convincingly, while West Indies responded at Headingley.
England eventually won the deciding Test at Lord’s.
2019: England Win at the Cricket World Cup
England and West Indies met at Southampton during the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
West Indies were bowled out for 212.
England chased the target successfully, reaching 213/2 and winning by 8 wickets.
Joe Root scored an unbeaten century and played a central role in England’s successful chase.
2019 World Cup
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 212 |
| England | 213/2 |
| Result | England won by 8 wickets |
The victory helped England continue their strong World Cup record against the West Indies.
2020: England Win in the Caribbean
The COVID-19 era produced an unusual Test series in England.
The West Indies travelled to England for a three-Test series in July 2020.
The visitors won the first Test at Southampton, creating a major surprise.
England then won the second Test at Manchester and the third Test at Old Trafford.
England therefore won the series 2–1.
2020 Test Series
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st Test | West Indies won by 4 wickets |
| 2nd Test | England won by 113 runs |
| 3rd Test | England won by 269 runs |
| Series | England won 2–1 |
The series was notable as one of the first major international cricket events played after the sport’s COVID-19 shutdown.
2022: England Sweep the T20I Series
England toured the Caribbean in 2022 for a five-match T20I series.
England won all five matches, completing a 5–0 sweep.
The series demonstrated England’s growing strength in T20 cricket during the period when they were developing into one of the world’s leading white-ball sides.
2024: England Win in the T20 World Cup
The teams met again during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the Super Eight stage.
West Indies scored 180/4 after batting first.
England chased the target impressively, reaching 181/2 in only 17.3 overs.
England won by 8 wickets, with Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow playing important roles.
2024 T20 World Cup
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 180/4 |
| England | 181/2 |
| Result | England won by 8 wickets |
The result continued England’s strong recent record against the West Indies in major limited-overs tournaments.
2025: England Sweep the ODI and T20I Series
The most recent major men’s bilateral white-ball chapter came in England in 2025.
England hosted the West Indies for three ODIs followed by three T20Is.
England won all three ODIs.
The first ODI was particularly dominant, with England scoring 400/8 before bowling West Indies out for 162.
England then won the second ODI by 3 wickets and the third by 7 wickets under the DLS method.
2025 ODI Series
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | England won by 238 runs |
| 2nd ODI | England won by 3 wickets |
| 3rd ODI | England won by 7 wickets |
| Series | England won 3–0 |
England also completed a clean sweep in the T20I series.
The final T20I saw England score 248/3, their second-highest men’s T20I total at that time, before West Indies finished on 211/8.
2025 T20I Series
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | England won by 21 runs |
| 2nd T20I | England won by 4 wickets |
| 3rd T20I | England won by 37 runs |
| Series | England won 3–0 |
Thus, England won all six men’s white-ball matches during the 2025 home series.
England vs West Indies Head-to-Head
The rivalry spans several formats and more than 90 years of Test cricket.
Test Cricket
| Statistic | England | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Test meetings | England have played many more than 100 Tests against WI | — |
| Major historical advantage | Stronger in recent decades | Dominant during 1970s–1980s |
| First Test meeting | 1928 | 1928 |
ODI Cricket
Through the June 2025 ODI, England had won 57 of the 111 completed/recorded meetings, while West Indies had won 48, with 5 no-results.
| ODI Statistic through June 2025 | England | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 111 | 111 |
| Wins | 57 | 48 |
| No Results | 5 | 5 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
World Cup Record
The World Cup rivalry has been particularly favorable to England. Before the 2023 tournament, the teams had met seven times in World Cup history, with England winning six and West Indies winning one. Their most recent World Cup meeting was in 2019.
| World Cup Statistic | England | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| Meetings | 7 | 7 |
| Wins | 6 | 1 |
| Latest meeting | 2019 | 2019 |
Most Memorable England vs West Indies Matches
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | First West Indies Test victory | West Indies won |
| 1950 | Test series in England | West Indies won 3–1 |
| 1976 | Test series in England | West Indies won 3–0 |
| 1980 | Test series | West Indies won 1–0 |
| 1995 | Test series | England won 2–1 |
| 2004 | Antigua Test | Draw; Lara scored 400* |
| 2007 | World Cup | West Indies won by 8 wickets |
| 2009 | Test series | England won 2–1 |
| 2016 | T20 World Cup Final | West Indies won by 4 wickets |
| 2019 | World Cup | England won by 8 wickets |
| 2020 | Test series | England won 2–1 |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | England won by 8 wickets |
| 2025 | ODI series | England won 3–0 |
| 2025 | T20I series | England won 3–0 |
Legendary Players of the Rivalry
| Player | Team | Major Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Vivian Richards | West Indies | Dominant middle-order batter |
| Brian Lara | West Indies | 400* against England in 2004 |
| Sir Garfield Sobers | West Indies | Legendary all-rounder |
| Michael Holding | West Indies | Express fast bowler |
| Malcolm Marshall | West Indies | World-class fast bowler |
| Gordon Greenidge | West Indies | Powerful opening batter |
| Carlos Brathwaite | West Indies | Four sixes in 2016 T20 final |
| Sir Ian Botham | England | Iconic all-rounder |
| Graham Gooch | England | Major Test run-scorer |
| Andrew Flintoff | England | Influential all-rounder |
| James Anderson | England | Record-breaking Test fast bowler |
| Joe Root | England | Modern-era Test run-scorer |
| Ben Stokes | England | Major all-rounder and captain |
Why Is the England vs West Indies Rivalry Special?
The England-West Indies rivalry is unusual because its character has changed dramatically over time.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the West Indies were one of the most dominant teams in Test cricket. Their fast-bowling attacks became legendary, and England frequently struggled against them.
The balance shifted during the 1990s and 2000s. England began winning more frequently, while the West Indies entered a rebuilding period.
In modern white-ball cricket, the rivalry has produced a different type of drama. The 2016 T20 World Cup final is perhaps the clearest example: a match that appeared to be moving toward England ended with Carlos Brathwaite hitting four consecutive sixes.
The teams have also met repeatedly at World Cups, where England have generally had the stronger record.
Key Milestones in England vs West Indies Cricket History
- 1928 – England and West Indies play their first Test series.
- 1930 – West Indies record their first Test victory over England.
- 1950 – West Indies win a Test series in England 3–1.
- 1954 – England respond with a 4–1 series victory.
- 1963 – West Indies win 3–1 in England.
- 1976 – West Indies dominate England 3–0 in a famous fast-bowling series.
- 1980 – West Indies win another Test series in England.
- 1995 – England defeat West Indies 2–1.
- 2000 – England win 3–1 in the Caribbean.
- 2004 – Brian Lara scores 400 not out against England.
- 2007 – West Indies defeat England in the Cricket World Cup.
- 2009 – England win a Test series in the Caribbean.
- 2012 – England win 2–0 at home.
- 2016 – West Indies win the T20 World Cup final with Carlos Brathwaite’s four sixes.
- 2019 – England defeat West Indies at the Cricket World Cup.
- 2020 – England recover from losing the first Test to win the series 2–1.
- 2024 – England defeat West Indies at the T20 World Cup.
- 2025 – England sweep the West Indies 3–0 in both ODIs and T20Is.
Conclusion
The England Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team timeline is a story of changing eras and unforgettable performances.
England dominated the earliest meetings, but the West Indies became a major force from the 1950s onward. Their dominance reached extraordinary levels during the 1970s and 1980s, when legendary fast bowlers and batsmen helped the Caribbean side establish one of the strongest periods in Test cricket history.
England gradually regained the balance during the 1990s and 2000s. The rivalry then expanded beyond Test cricket, producing famous limited-overs moments such as Brian Lara’s 400, the 2007 World Cup encounter and the extraordinary 2016 T20 World Cup final.
In the modern era, England have generally enjoyed strong results in white-ball cricket, including their 2024 T20 World Cup victory over West Indies and the 3–0 ODI and T20I sweeps in 2025.
Even with the changing balance of power, the historical depth of the rivalry ensures that England vs West Indies remains one of the most recognizable matchups in international cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did England and West Indies first play Test cricket?
England and West Indies first played Test cricket in 1928, when the West Indies toured England for their inaugural Test series.
2. When did West Indies dominate England in Test cricket?
The West Indies’ greatest period of dominance over England came during the 1970s and 1980s, when their pace attacks and world-class batsmen made them one of the strongest Test teams in cricket history.
3. Who scored 400 not out against England?
Brian Lara scored 400 not out for West Indies against England in Antigua in 2004. It remains the highest individual score in men’s Test cricket.
4. Who won the 2016 T20 World Cup final between England and West Indies?
The West Indies won by four wickets. Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes in the final over to complete the chase.
5. What happened in the latest England vs West Indies men’s series?
In the latest men’s bilateral white-ball series in 2025, England hosted West Indies for three ODIs and three T20Is. England won all six matches, completing 3–0 series sweeps in both formats.
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