West Indies Cricket celebrated a historic whitewash of India all the way back in 1962, helping Jamaica celebrate what was going to be their independence in fine style. Led by the second black captain and a Jamaican, Sir Frank Worrell, had been leading the West Indies charge to becoming the best team in world cricket. This Gleaner story highlighted just one of the instances over the course of three years, 1960-’63, when Worrell would prove the West Indies were not just competitive.

Published April 19, 1962

W.I. WIN TEST SERIES 5-0

FRANK WORRELL led the West Indies to a history-making 5-0 victory in the Test series against India which ended yesterday at Sabina Park with his players winning the fifth and final test match by 123 runs. Victory for the West Indies came 17 minutes after lunch.

West Indies became the third cricketing country to win all five Tests in a series. The others are: Australia against England in the 1920-21 series, and against South Africa in the 1931-32 series; and England against India in 1959.

West Indies won the first Test in Trinidad by 10 wickets, the second in Jamaica by an innings and 18 runs, the third in Barbados by an innings and 30 runs; the fourth, again in Trinidad, by seven wickets.

Although beaten, India did well to resist the West Indies to their smallest winning margin in the series, and at one stage when Umrigar and Surti were together it seemed that the touring cricketers had an outside chance of upsetting the West Indies. It was the genius of Worrell that again turn the tide; he kept on Garfield Sobers and Wesley Hall and relied upon them as his match-winners in the situation.

The West Indies were fighting a battle, not only against India, but also against the weather, which had held the key to the outcome of the match. It started raining again as the players left the field at the end.

FINAL CHAPTER

There was not the usual exciting scenes which make the end of a Test; in fact, except for the scores of children who went on to the field to cheer and touch their heroes as the latter made their way to the pavilion, the final chapter of this Test had no drama to it. This was hardly surprising because the match was an anti-climax and the only interest which remained was to see whether or not Worrell’s team would become the first West Indies side to win all five Tests in a series.

India did well to stretch the light into the last days; in this, however, they were greatly assisted by rain, which hampered play, particularly on the third day.

When play was resumed yesterday with India 227 behind and five wickets in hand, Worrell’s chief concern was whether or not his bowlers would claim the remaining five wickets before rain again help up play. His bowlers did, and the West Indies may have won the match before lunch had Surti, who figured in a bright partnership with Umrigar, not been dropped by Hunte off the bowling of Valentine. For as long as Umrigar and Surti were together, India had a chance of victory.

Surti fell to brilliant stumping by Allan, who on his performance in this match, added to his impressive debut in the third Test at Bridgetown, Barbados, has surely enhanced his claim as deputy wicketkeeper to Jackie Hendriks for the West Indies tour to England next year. Allan also took two catches.

MATCH WINNERS

Sobers had another memorable day, and with Hall, who showed his best form since the match started, bowled the team to victory. Sobers finished with figures of 32/63/5, a proof of how well he bowled, whilst Hall’s improved performance yesterday enabled him to wind up with figures 20.5/3/47/3. Hall took three of the five wickets which fell yesterday. The others went to Sobers. Newcomer Lester King did not bowl yesterday. This surprised a few of the 300 spectators. But Worrell is not only a greater cricketer, but also a strategist, and so he decided to lean heavily on the bowling of Sobers, who was mixing them up well and Hall who the touring cricketers fear.

India did not bow out without putting up some resistance, and they succeeded to the point where they had the West Indies worried at one stage. For two catches were dropped at vital stages which could have made all the difference in the West Indies winning bid.

It was interesting to see two veterans of the Indian team, Polly Umrigar, the last man out and Vijay Manjrekar – old friend of our crowds – figure in India’s fight yesterday. These two cricketers were seen here in a Test match for the last time. It was good that they should have figured in India’s gallant effort to try and upset the West Indies.

The West Indies overwhelmed India because they were the stronger team. After their fantastic tour of Australia, and this sweep of the series against India, their tour of England next year is awaited with interest by cricketers and cricket fans everywhere.