Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ottis Gibson were this week named among the five Cricketers of the Year by Wisden Cricket Almanack. This was the first time that any West Indian had been included in the annual list since 1997 when Phil Simmons got the honour.
Chanderpaul was almost a one man show in England last year for the West Indies and he continued his good form in South Africa late last year. Chanderpaul tied a Test record by making scores of at least 50 in 7 consecutive innings.
Gibson won the Professional Cricketer's Association's inaugural MVP award after taking 80 Championship wickets in the English County season, including all 10 in an innings against Hampshire. Gibson, a Barbadian, last played for the Windies in 1999, was considered for the head coaching position for the West Indies last year, but ultimately signed on to be the England bowling coach.
Well played Shiv and Ottis.
UPDATE: In the 1984/1985 Test Series in Australia the Windies fielded the following lineup in the , 2nd and 5th Tests:
CG Greenidge
DL Haynes
RB Richardson
HA Gomes
IVA Richards
*CH Lloyd
+PJL Dujon
MD Marshall
MA Holding
J Garner
CA Walsh
What's remarkable is that all 11 of these men at one time or another were named Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
Gordon Greenidge in 1977, Desmond Haynes in 1991, Richie Richardson in 1992, Larry Gomes in 1985, Viv Richards in 1977, Clive Lloyd in 1971, Jeffrey Dujon in 1989, Malcolm Marshall in 1983, Michael Holding in 1977, Joel Garner in 1980 and Courtney Walsh in 1987.
Needless to say, the Aussies stood no chance and were fortunate to secure a draw in the fourth Test to prevent a clean sweep by the Windies.
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