West Indies was the most dominant team in the early era. They dominated world cricket between the 1970s and 1990s across all three formats. The team won the first two editions of the ODI World Cup in 1975 and 1979, which speaks volumes about this team. Although there has been some decline in the current team, West Indies still holds many records in this game.
After getting the “test status” by the ICC in 1926, West Indies started their journey. This country has given a number of legends to the game. But with so much glorious history, West Indies has some unwanted moments in their cricket as well. Here we will talk about the biggest opening partnerships conceded by West Indies in test format.
Highest Opening Partnership in Test against West Indies
| Pair | Runs | Team | Venue | Date |
| Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis | 387 | New Zealand | Georgetown | 6 Apr 1972 |
| Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson | 382 | Australia | Bridgetown | 5 May 1965 |
| Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs | 301 | South Africa | Centurion | 16 Jan 2004 |
| Aamer Sohail and Ijaz Ahmed | 298 | Pakistan | Karachi | 6 Dec 1997 |
| AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith | 245 | South Africa | St John’s | 29 Apr 2005 |
| Justin Langer, and Matthew Hayden | 242 | Australia | St John’s | 9 May 2003 |
| Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey | 231 | Australia | Hobart | 17 Nov 2005 |
| Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook | 229 | England | Bridgetown | 26 Feb 2009 |
| Phil Jaques and Simon Katich | 223 | Australia | Bridgetown | 12 Jun 2008 |
3. Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs (301 runs) in 2004
The former South African pair of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs was among the top batting pairs that the game has seen. They registered the third-biggest opening partnership against West Indies in test cricket. They did it in January 2004 in the fourth test of when West Indies toured South Africa. Batting first, South Africa made a huge first inning total of 604/6 in 158 overs and declaed. Smith and Gibbs added 301 runs in 66.5 overs for the first wicket.
Smith made 139 runs including 21 fours and two sixes. Gibbs scored 192 runs with 24 boundaries and three sixes. West Indies got dismissed for 301 runs in their first inning and South Africa got a first-inning lead of 303 runs. Thus, South Africa enforced a follow on. In the second inning as well, West Indies batted poorly and registered a 348 all out. South Africa got a target of 46 runs and they made it in 3.4 overs to win the game by 10 wickets.
2. Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson (382 runs) in 1965
Nothing can be better than both openers scoring a double century in a test match. That’s what happened when Australia took on the West Indies in May 1965 in Bridgetown. It was the fourth game of the five tests, and Australia won the toss and batted first. Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson scored a double century each and added 382 runs for the first wicket, which is the second highest opening stand against the West Indies.
Lawry made 210 runs and Simpson scored 201 runs. Australia declared at 650/6 in 189 overs. In response, West Indies made 573 runs, with Rohan Kanhai (129) and Seymour Nurse (201) contributing heavily. Australia batted again and declared at 175/4, giving a target of 253 runs. But the luck was on their side; West Indies made 242/5 when the game ended in a draw due to the lack of time left.
1. Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis (387 runs) in 1972
The biggest opening stand which came against West Indies was made by the former Kiwi openers. It came in April 1972 in Georgetown. It was the fourth test of the New Zealand’s tour of West Indies. Batting first, West Indies declared at 365/7 with Alvin Kallicharran (100*) scoring a century. New Zealand replied them strongely with a 387-run partnership for the first wicket between Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis.
Jarvis made 182 runs in his inning with 19 fours. Turner scored his career-best score of 259 runs, including 22 fours. New Zealand declared at 543/3 and took a lead of 178 runs. They batted for almost three days. With not much time left in the game, West Indies was at 86 for 0 in 40 overs. The game ended there without any result.