As the two-time defending champions of the World Cup, the West Indies were seen as the overwhelming favourites for the 1983 edition, to be played in England.
They were the most dominant team in world cricket in test match and one day internationals. They had a settled core of players, with the commanding presence of Clive Lloyd as captain. New players were seamlessly introduced, and there always seemed a new fast bowler ready to replace the aging ones.
In sporting terms, the West Indies bench was strong.
That strength, and the fabric that morally differentiated West Indies cricket from any other, was put to the test during the latter months of 1982. There were whispers, and rumours of West Indian players signing to undertake a Rebel Tour of apartheid ruled South Africa.
The details were sketchy, there were denials and there was an obvious cloud of “hush hush” around the Leeward Islands training camp, as they prepared for the 1983 Shell Shield at the Police Recreation Grounds in Antigua.
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The performance of two Antiguan youngsters in the 1983 Shell Shield gave confidence that the next generation was Page 14 Monday, February 12, 2018 THE DAILY Observer By Zorol Barthley Inside edge Presented by Falmouth Harbour Marina 5th Test West Indies vs India, April 28 – May 3, 1983 ready to take over the baton from Viv and Andy. Richie Richardson’s domination of fast bowlers around the Caribbean made people take notice, as he reeled off hundreds against Barbados and Jamaica; famously hooking Michael Holding in to the sea at Surge Park, Montserrat.
This paragraph spelt the demise of WI dominance.
The exploits of Roberts, Richards, Richardson, the coming of Baptiste and Ambrose and the Benjamins made Antiguans feel they were God's gift to WI cricket:
Lara under Richard's captaincy having to sit down while Keith Arthurton played
Richardson getting the captaincy over Desmond Haynes
Richardson dropping Courtney Walsh And Marshall for the Benjamins
Vasbert Drakes and Otis Gibson overlooked for Hamish Anthony and Ian Alleyne
Chairman of Selectors David Holford having to intervene over Richardson selections in favor of Walsh and Chanderpaul.
Richardson colloborating with the selectors to exclude veteran opener Desmond Haynes in favor of rookie Stuart Willaims in that crucial 1995 Australia home series where WI surrendered their dominance and lost 2-1
In my opinion Antiguans feeling that they would be rolling off great players off a conveyor belt hampered WI Cricket coupled with the exodus of good and great players to South Africa.
To this day WI have not recovered.
