Australian World Series Cricket team in the West Indies in 1979

The World Series Cricket tour of the West Indies took place between February and April 1979. It was the second tour event of World Series Cricket after the World XI New Zealand tour earlier in the season. It was the first tour to feature the WSC West Indies and WSC Supertests. The five match Supertest series was drawn 1–1. It ran in parallel with the ODI series which the West Indies won easily, 8–2.

WSC Australians in the West Indies
 
  WSC Australians WSC West Indies
Dates 20 February 1979 – 13 April 1979
Captains Ian Chappell Clive Lloyd
Test series
Result 5-match series drawn 1–1
Most runs Greg Chappell (620) Roy Fredericks (363)
Most wickets Dennis Lillee (23) Michael Holding (24)
One Day International series
Results WSC West Indies won the 12-match series 8–2
Most runs Martin Kent (278) Gordon Greenidge (304)
Most wickets Jeff Thomson (13) Colin Croft (16)

Squads

Note: Number of Supertests and One-Day matches in brackets

West Indies
Clive Lloyd (c) (5/7) Richard Austin (2/9)
Colin Croft (5/7) Wayne Daniel (2/8)
Roy Fredericks (5/9) Joel Garner (1/8)
Gordon Greenidge (4/7) Desmond Haynes (3/9)
Michael Holding (5/6) Collis King (3/6)
Deryck Murray (wk) (5/9) Albert Padmore (2/4)
Viv Richards (5/8) Andy Roberts (4/6)
Lawrence Rowe (4/7)
Australia
Ian Chappell (c) (5/8) Ray Bright (5/5)
Greg Chappell (5/9) Trevor Chappell (4/7)
Gus Gilmour (1/7) David Hookes (5/9)
Martin Kent (5/10) Bruce Laird (5/9)
Dennis Lillee (5/6) Rick McCosker (1/6)
Mick Malone (0/6) Rod Marsh (wk) (5/9)
Len Pascoe (4/7) Richie Robinson (0/2)
Jeff Thomson (5/6) Max Walker (0/4)

Itinerary

Compared to previous international tours to the West Indies the schedule of the WSC tour was rigorous. The previous year the official Australia side had conducted a tour of the West Indies that took in five Test matches, two ODIs and six tour matches from 17 February to 3 May. The WSC tour featured five Supertests and twelve ODIs from 20 February to 13 April. What made the tour so physically demanding were the back to back ODIs and constant travelling between Islands with only a day between fixtures. On top of the gruelling itinerary, the cricket was intense and of the highest standard, unlike traditional tours that feature matches against weak opposition.

Date Fixture Venue
20 Feb 1979 1st ODI Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
21 Feb 1979 2nd ODI Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
23 Feb 1979 1st Supertest Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
3 Mar 1979 3rd ODI Mindoo Philip Park, Castries, St Lucia
4 Mar 1979 4th ODI Mindoo Philip Park, Castries, St Lucia
6 Mar 1979 5th ODI Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
7 Mar 1979 6th ODI Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
9 Mar 1979 2nd Supertest Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
16 Mar 1979 3rd Supertest Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
25 Mar 1979 4th Supertest Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana
29 Mar 1979 7th ODI Albion Sports Complex, Berbice, Guyana
31 Mar 1979 8th ODI Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
1 Apr 1979 9th ODI Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
2 Apr 1979 10th ODI Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
4 Apr 1979 11th ODI Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica
6 Apr 1979 5th Supertest Antigua Recreation Ground, St John's, Antigua and Barbuda
13 Apr 1979 12th ODI Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

[1]

Supertests

1st Supertest

23–26 February 1979 (5 Day Match)
scorecard
v
188 (56.2 overs)
Clive Lloyd 56
Dennis Lillee 4/68 (18.2)
106 (37 overs)
David Hookes 23
Wayne Daniel 3/24 (7)
481 (109.4 overs)
Clive Lloyd 197
Dennis Lillee 4/100 (25)
194 (51.4 overs)
Ray Bright 47
Michael Holding 3/37 (10)
WSC West Indies won by 369 runs
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Umpires: Douglas Sang Hue & Ralph Gosein
Player of the match: Clive Lloyd
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and elected to bat

The Australian newspaper reported that never before had an Australian XI led by Ian Chappell been so humiliated in defeat. Australia had started well reducing the West Indies to 119–7. But Clive Lloyd as he had done so often before, resisted scoring a vital 56, aputting on 40 runs for the last wicket with the capable Wayne Daniel (17*). Chappell was delighted with his bowlers performance on a first day that closed with Australia 33/2, Ian out along with Bruce Laird and brother Trevor retired hurt. Twelve wickets would fall on the second day, Australia were bowled out for just 106, the four pronged West Indian attack making mince-meat of the Aussie batting card. With a lead of 76 the West Indies batted positively, compiling a total of 481 at a remarkable run rate of 4.39 runs per over. Clive Lloyd was again the star scoring a brilliant 197 before being the eighth batsman dismissed. Requiring an unlikely 558 runs to win in their second innings, the aggressive Ian Chappell chose to open the batting, protecting Trevor from the new ball. Ian made 41 but his side were only 83–4 at his dismissal and on the verge of a crushing defeat. Ray Bright made a good 47 not out, but the Australian tail were blown away by the four quicks, complemented by the medium pace of Richard Austin. The West Indies completed a 369 run win on the fourth day.[2]

2nd Supertest

9–13 March 1979 (5 Day Match)
scorecard
v
311 (106.1 overs)
Martin Kent 78
Michael Holding 4/67 (26.1)
239 (58 overs)
Roy Fredericks 89
Dennis Lillee 3/56 (13)
294 (102.5 overs)
Greg Chappell 90
Richard Austin 3/59 (24.5)
133/4 (29 overs)
Roy Fredericks 53
Len Pascoe 3/20 (4)
Match Drawn
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Umpires: Douglas Sang Hue & Ralph Gosein
Player of the match: Ian Chappell
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and elected to field

Play was suspended midway through Day 5 after the crowd threw bottles onto the ground. This was to protest against the umpire's decision to dismiss Roy Fredericks by leg before wicket.[3][4] The match was abandoned at 2:30 pm and ended in a draw.[5]

3rd Supertest

16–20 March 1979 (5 Day Match)
scorecard
v
246 (100 overs)
Bruce Laird 122
Michael Holding 5/48 (21)
230 (69.4 overs)
Andy Roberts 50*
Jeff Thomson 5/78 (20)
282 (144.4 overs)
Greg Chappell 150
Albert Padmore 6/81 (54.4)
274 (89.5 overs)
Roy Fredericks 72
Ian Chappell 3/35 (10)
WSC Australians won by 24 runs
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Umpires: Douglas Sang Hue & Ralph Gosein
Player of the match: Greg Chappell
  • WSC Australians won the toss and elected to bat

4th Supertest

25–28 March 1979 (5-day match)
scorecard
v
341 (112.1 overs)
Greg Chappell 113
Joel Garner 3/60 (26)
476 (113.1 overs)
Collis King 110
Jeff Thomson 4/84 (25)
117/3 (33 overs)
Trevor Chappell 28
Colin Croft 2/32 (8)
Match Drawn
Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana
Umpires: Douglas Sang Hue & Ralph Gosein
Player of the match: Collis King
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and elected to field
  • No play on first and second day due to rain and riot

A result was never likely in the 4th Supertest at Bourda. When the Australians landed at Guyana they discovered it had been raining for days. On the scheduled first day play was abandoned before the players had even left for the ground. That evening the pitch was still underwater. On the second day the rain had stopped and it was hot and sunny. Yet the two captains, Chappell and Lloyd, decided the condition of the outfield was unfit for play, Greg Chappell describing it as a "quagmire". Unfortunately for the cricketers and officials at Bourda, thousands of spectators had been allowed into the ground that morning. Ian Chappell recalls how he was visited in the dressing-rooms by the local Chief of Police and told, "If there is no play today, I am afraid to tell you that I can no longer guarantee your safety at the ground." The consensus was that there must, therefore, be some sort of play. The captains and umpires agreed to start play at 4 pm and play for roughly an hour until the light faded. However a misinformed PA announced to the crowd that play would begin at 3 pm. This enraged the volatile Chappell who then reneged on the deal and refused to play. The crowd, many of whom had been drinking rum and partying all day, sensed no play and began a riot.[6] Both teams and the officials were locked in their dressing rooms. The Australians donned their new batting helmets and took guard with their bats, behind the bolted door. The rioters attacked the pavilion causing major damage and a couple of unnamed West Indian cricketers suffered minor injuries from broken glass. Chappell recalls a conversation after the event with West Indian wicketkeeper Deryck Murray. Murray insisted that the riot was a result of growing unhappiness at the Guyanese president Arthur Chung and that they used the abandoned cricket as an excuse. He believed that the rioters would never have intentionally harmed any of the cricketers. The words reassured some of the Australians, but many wanted to leave Guyana immediately and head to the next island, while some (about eight, which is half the squad) were considering returning to Australia. Chappell demanded his players stay and play, making a statement to the West Indian fans that they are not intimidated and will play to win.[7] Play proceeded on the third morning as if nothing had happened. The ground was cleared of broken glass and the game played out to a draw with a century from Greg Chappell confirming his status as the outstanding batsman of the series.[8]

5th Supertest

6–10 April 1979 (5 Day Match)
scorecard
v
234 (69.2 overs)
Greg Chappell 104
Colin Croft 4/56 (18.2)
438 (124.2 overs)
Lawrence Rowe 135
Dennis Lillee 6/125 (33.2)
415/6 (128 overs)
Rod Marsh 102*
Michael Holding 2/74 (25)
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and elected to field

One Day Internationals

1st ODI

20 February 1979
Scorecard
WSC West Indies
174/8 (40 overs)
v
WSC Australians
138/8 (40 overs)
WSC West Indies won by 36 runs
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Umpires: Johnny Gayle (WI) and Douglas Sang Hue (WI)
Player of the match: Michael Holding (WI)
  • WSC Australians won the toss and chose to field
  • 40 over match

2nd ODI

21 February 1979
Scorecard
WSC West Indies
132 (36.3 overs)
v
WSC Australians
133/9 (38.3 overs)
WSC Australians won by 1 wicket
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Umpires: Johnny Gayle (WI) and Ralph Gosein (WI)
Player of the match: Jeff Thomson (Aus)
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and chose to bat
  • 40 over match

3rd ODI

3 March 1979
Scorecard
WSC West Indies
190 (42.1 overs)
v
WSC Australians
184 (43.1 overs)
WSC West Indies won by 6 runs
Mindoo Philip Park, Castries, Saint Lucia
Umpires: Michael Hippolyte (WI) and Ralph Gosein (WI)
Player of the match: Collis King (WI)
  • WSC Australians won the toss and chose to field
  • 45 over match

4th ODI

4 March 1979
Scorecard
v
Match abandoned without a ball being bowled
Mindoo Philip Park, Castries, Saint Lucia
  • 45 over match

5th ODI

6 March 1979
Scorecard
WSC Australians
201/4 (45 overs)
v
WSC West Indies
159 (39.2 overs)
WSC Australians won by 42 runs
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Umpires: Stanton Parris (WI) and Ralph Gosein (WI)
Player of the match: David Hookes (Aus)
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and chose to field
  • 45 over match

6th ODI

7 March 1979
Scorecard
WSC West Indies
240/8 (45 overs)
v
WSC Australians
233/7 (45 overs)
WSC West Indies won by 7 runs
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Umpires: Douglas Sang Hue (WI) and David Archer (WI)
Player of the match: Martin Kent (Aus)
  • WSC Australians won the toss and chose to field
  • 45 over match

7th ODI

29 March 1979
Scorecard
WSC Australians
209/7 (45 overs)
v
WSC West Indies
212/4 (45 overs)
WSC West Indies won by 6 wickets
Albion Sports Complex, Albion, Guyana
Umpires: Ralph Gosein (WI) and Compton Vyfhuis (WI)
Player of the match: Gordon Greenidge (WI)
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and chose to field
  • 45 over match

8th ODI

31 March 1979
Scorecard
WSC West Indies
206/7 (45 overs)
v
WSC Australians
18/6 (15 overs)
WSC West Indies won on faster run rate
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Umpires: Douglas Sang Hue (WI) and Stuart Ishmael (WI)
Player of the match: Andy Roberts (WI)
  • WSC Australians won the toss and chose to field
  • WSC Australians given revised target of 69
  • 45 over match

9th ODI

1 April 1979
Scorecard
WSC West Indies
207/7 (45 overs)
v
WSC Australians
153 (36.5 overs)
Rod Marsh 46
Joel Garner 3/12 (6.5)
WSC West Indies won by 54 runs
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Umpires: Gary Duperouzel (Aus) and Ralph Gosein (WI)
Player of the match: Desmond Haynes (WI)
  • WSC Australians won the toss and chose to field
  • 45 over match

10th ODI

2 April 1979
Scorecard
WSC Australians
206/9 (45 overs)
v
WSC West Indies
176/4 (26.5 overs)
WSC West Indies won by 6 wickets
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Umpires: C Ramjohn (WI) and Stuart Ishmael (WI)
Player of the match: Gordon Greenidge (WI)
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and chose to field
  • WSC West Indies set revised target of 174 runs in 38 overs
  • 45 over match

11th ODI

4 April 1979
Scorecard
WSC Australians
137/9 (45 overs)
v
WSC West Indies
138/2 (37.4 overs)
WSC West Indies won by 8 wickets
Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica
Umpires: Phillip Alleyne (WI) and Douglas Sang Hue (WI)
Player of the match: Colin Croft (WI)
  • WSC West Indies won the toss and chose to field
  • 45 over match

12th ODI

13 April 1979
Scorecard
v
Match abandoned without a ball being bowled
Warner Park, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • 45 over match

References

  1. "Cricket Archive – WSC Australia in West Indies 1978/79". Archived from the original on 20 June 2009.
  2. "Cricket Archive – WSC Australia in West Indies 1978/79 (1st Supertest)".
  3. Alleyne, Gayle (26 April 1999). "Bottle field: Fans protest Campbell runout". The Daily Nation. Barbados. Retrieved 25 January 2020 via ESPNcricinfo.
  4. "Throwback to 1979". The Daily Nation. Barbados. 26 April 1999. Retrieved 25 January 2020 via ESPNcricinfo.
  5. "WSC West Indies v WSC Australia – WSC Australia in West Indies 1978/79 (2nd Supertest)". Cricket Archive. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  6. Martins, Dave. "Cricket riot at Bourda". www.stabroeknews.com. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  7. I. Chappell & A. Mallett (2004) Hitting Out: The Ian Chappell Story, Orion Books: London
  8. Phil Wilkins (1979) The Australian newspaper
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