One small step for West Indies cricket
Given the well-documented background, it is tempting to dismiss West Indies' triumph in the engrossing, fluctuating, nerve-wracking final Test over England as simply a one-off against opponents suddenly overtaken by internal problems that mirror their own.
After two decades of steady decline, West Indies remained entrenched at eighth in the official Test rankings entering the series; England were third. It was enough to prompt the scepticism.
The doubts have begun to perceptively fade over the past five weeks. This team's spirit in repeatedly fighting against tough situations that have overwhelmed others in the recent past have given new hope of a revival of fortunes.