Barbados: The Home of West Indies Cricket

It is difficult to narrow down an epicentre of cricket in any great international team but you won’t go too far wrong to name Barbados as a key player in West Indian Cricket.

Although somewhat biased, the Barbados Tourism website describes the country as an international capital of cricket, something we can all agree on.

But is it truly the best cricketing nation within West Indies Cricket?

Stats-wise, it’s difficult to look past Barbados. They have won the West Indies Championship the most times with a tally of 22 (and 1 shared) meaning they’ve won it 10 more times than any other competitor. They have produced over a quarter of the total cricketers to have ever played for the West Indies. 12 Bajans have captained the West Indies.

Even some of the names that the island has produced are enough to make your eyes water: Jason Holder, Gordon Greenidge, Sir Garfield Sobers, Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and of course, the 3 Ws; Walcott, Worrall and Weekes.

From this list of names it's clear to see that Barbados adopts all the best trappings of the West Indies team with emphasis on beautiful batting and express pace bowling.

Not bad for an island with a smaller population than Vanuatu.

In fact, if you compare Barbados to the size of Yorkshire, the length of the Caribbean island doesn't even reach the distance between Leeds and York.

The amateur game on the island, run by the island’s board the BCA, is also played at an immensely high level. Looking around some of the teams scattered across this tiny island you’ll quickly discover the incredible heritage and pedigree that these clubs possess. Amongst them, Empire, the oldest club in the West Indies, has produced 3 out of the 12 Bajans who have captained the West Indies. An accolade that is surely up there as one of the most prolific talent-producing clubs in the world.

On a small island it’s not difficult to pinpoint a hub of Barbadian Cricket: the capital Bridgetown.

With an international ground, the famous Kensington Oval, situated in Bridgetown it’s hard to imagine a better backdrop for world class cricketers to develop. Known as ‘The Mecca of Cricket’, the Kensington Oval is the go-to venue for big events in West Indian Cricket. Two men’s world cup finals were held there in 3 years as both the 2007 ODI World Cup Final and the 2010 T20 World Cup Final both took place here.

As a fantastic memorial to the 3 legendary West Indian batsmen Sir Frank Worrall, Sir Clyde Walcott and, the recently departed, Sir Everton Weekes (all of whom were born within 18 months of each other in the same parish as the Oval), they’re names are dedicated to the 3 W’s Stand. On top of this they’re memories also live on in the ground named after them where they are all buried.

Not only has Barbados provided cricketers for the West Indies but England too! 4 English Cricketers were born on the island, only 10 fewer than have represented England to have been born in Wales! The most recent additions to this feat are Sussex pair Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer.

Jofra Archer: The one that got away?

Amongst the current cop of Barbados’ finest include: current Test Captain Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Roston Chase, Carlos Brathwaite, Shane Dowrich, Shimron Hetmyer, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope.

This is clearly an island that punches well above its weight, not only within the West Indies but around the world.

Let us know what you think. Is Barbados the home of West Indies Cricket?

All time Barbados XI

Gordon Greenidge

Sir Conrad Hunte

Sir Everton Weekes

Sir Clyde Walcott (wk)

Sir Frank Worrall

Sir Garfield Sobers

Jason Holder

Malcolm Marshall

Joel Garner

Sir Wes Hall

Kemar Roach

NB Barbados has so many incredible names I could come up with a Second XI which would still make any team fear.