West Indies were the fourth team after Australia, England, and South Africa to be introduced to the game of cricket. They featured in their debut game (test match) in June 1928 against England at Lord’s. Since then, this team has improved to a huge extent and became an unbeatable side from the 1970s to the late 1980s.
However, West Indies saw many ups and downs in their history. But in this long journey, the Caribbean team has registered many records with both the bat and the ball. Former skipper Brain Lara is the only player with a test score of 400. Meanwhile, we will discuss here about the top opening partnerships by the West Indies in test cricket.
Highest Opening Partnership for West Indies in Test
| Pair | Runs | Against | Venue | Date |
| Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Brathwaite | 336 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 4 Feb 2023 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes | 298 | England | St John’s | 12 Apr 1990 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes | 296 | India | St John’s | 28 Apr 1983 |
| Adrian Griffith and Sherwin Campbell | 276 | New Zealand | Hamilton | 16 Dec 1999 |
| Chris Gayle and Kieran Powell | 254 | New Zealand | North Sound | 25 Jul 2012 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes | 250* | Australia | Georgetown | 2 Mar 1984 |
| Allan Rae and Jeffrey Stollmeyer | 239 | India | Chennai | 27 Jan 1949 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes | 225 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 22 Feb 1980 |
| Chris Gayle and Darren Ganga | 214 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 19 Jul 2001 |
| Roy Fredericks and Lawrence Rowe | 206 | England | Kingston | 16 Feb 1974 |
3. Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (296 runs) vs India in April 1983
West Indies registered their third-highest opening partnership in April 1983, when India came for a five-match series. It was the last and final test at St. John’s. West Indies won the toss and decided to bowl first. India batted well and scored 457 runs in 126.5 overs. In reply, the Caribbean team started with a 296-run partnership for the first wicket.
Gordon Greenidge made 154 runs while scoring 136 runs at the top. West Indies made 550 runs in 166.4 overs and got a lead of 93 runs. India batted again and declared their second inning at 247/5 in 88 overs. However, there was not much time left in the game, and it ended in a draw.
2. Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (298 runs) vs England in April 1990
West Indies’ second-highest opening partnership came in April 1990 against England. This came in the fifth test of England’s tour of the West Indies in St. John’s. England won the toss and decided to bat first. They struggled in the first inning and got dismissed in 91.1 overs, making 260 runs. In reply, both Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes added a massive 298 runs for the first wicket, and both batters scored a hundred each.
Greenidge scored 149 runs, while Haynes scored 167 runs in that inning. The West Indies scored 446 runs in 120.5 overs and took a 214-run lead in the first inning. In the second inning, England had a poor performance, and they got all out for just 154 runs in 47 overs. As a result, the West Indies won that game by an innings and 32 runs.
1. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Brathwaite (336 runs) vs Zimbabwe in February 2023
The highest opening stand for West Indies came most recently in February 2023. They registered it against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. It was the first game of the two tests. After winning the toss, West Indies decided to bat first. They had a dream start to their inning, and both openers went on to bat for four sessions. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Brathwaite added a record 336 runs for the opening wicket.
Brathwaite made 182 runs with 18 fours, while Chanderpaul went on to score his maiden double hundred. He made 207 not out with 16 fours and three sixes. West Indies declared at 447/6 in 143 overs. In reply, Zimbabwe also batted well and declared at 379/9. West Indies batted again and declared their second inning at 203/5, giving a target of 272 to Zimbabwe. Chasing the target, Zimbabwe made 134/6 in 54 overs when the game ended in a draw.