Almost Invincible

The West Indies in the 1980s were one of the greatest teams in Test cricket history. In 1984 they hammered England 5-0, and the series was famously nicknamed the 'Blackwash'. Author Richard Sydenham examines all the side-stories connected with the tour and speaks to many of the central characters.

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Almost Invincible is the story of the West Indies in the 1980s, one of the greatest teams in Test cricket history, at their brilliant best.

During the English summer of 1984, captain Clive Lloyd had an array of all-time greats within the ranks, including Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner, Jeffrey Dujon and others.

Facing an England team in transition but still possessing skipper David Gower, star all-rounder Ian Botham and the in-form batsman Allan Lamb, the West Indies followed a series victory over Australia with a 5-0 win in England, a series that was famously nicknamed the 'Blackwash'.

The book examines all the side-stories connected with the tour - from the ridiculously frenetic schedule to the closely fought one-day series, from the county tour matches to the intricate details of the five Tests. Author Richard Sydenham has spoken to many of the central characters and reflects on the tour's legacy, both in cricket and social terms.