Most Test Wins in West Indies by Visiting Teams

Most Test Wins in West Indies by Visiting Teams

Key Insights

In 2015, Australia became the first visiting team to win 20 Test matches in the West Indies. They achieved the feat with a nine-wicket win in the Dominica Test in June 2015.

South Africa have lost the fewest Test matches in the Windies among visiting teams. Of the 17 Tests played by them, the Proteas have lost only two.

South Africa are the only overseas Test team to have a win percentage above 50 in the West Indies.

England, meanwhile, have lost the most Tests played in the West Indies. They have suffered defeats in 28 of the 74 matches.

England were the first visiting team to win a Test match in the Caribbean. They won the 1930 Port of Spain Test against the hosts by 167 runs. This was the second Test match played in the Caribbean Islands.

In 1955, Australia scripted history with a 3-0 series victory, the first overseas team to win a Test series in the Windies. Interestingly, this was Australia’s first-ever series in the Caribbean!

Australia have also won the most Test series held in the West Indies. They have triumphed seven times, followed by India with six series victories.

Five of India’s six series wins have come in a row, making them the first visiting team to do so in the West Indies. They have won each of the five series contested in 2006, 2011, 2016, 2019, and 2023. Explore India’s first Test Series wins in each country here.

South Africa imitated India’s record a year later. The Proteas have succeeded in each of their five series played in the Caribbean in 2001, 2005, 2010, 2021, and 2024.

Except for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, all the other overseas teams have won at least one Test series in the West Indies. Zimbabwe are, in fact, yet to register a Test match win there.

Steve Waugh is the most successful overseas captain in the West Indies in Test cricket. He led Australia to five wins out of eight Tests between 1999 and 2003. Michael Clarke (Australia), Virat Kohli (India), and Graeme Smith (South Africa) won four Tests each.

England’s Colin Cowdrey (1960 & 1968), Smith (2005 & 2010), Clarke (2012 & 2015), and Kohli (2016 & 2019) are the four overseas skippers to win two Test series each in the West Indies. Interestingly, the series wins came on their consecutive tours as captains.