West Indies became the first team to win the inaugural World Championship title in 1975 when they beat Australia in the finals at Lord’s. Then they came back as the defending champions in 1979 and once again lifted the championship in back-to-back editions. Although they reached the finals of the 1983 World Cup, they were defeated by India.
But in the history of the ICC Trophy events, West Indies are one of the three teams with two or more titles. So they have some amazing records when it comes to ICC events.
In this article, we will look at the highest partnerships for West Indies in the ODI World Cup history.
List of West Indies Highest Partnership in ODI World Cup
| Players | Runs | W | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels | 372 | 2nd | Zimbabwe | Canberra | 2015 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Larry Gomes | 195* | 3rd | Zimbabwe | Worcester | 1983 |
| Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards | 182 | 3rd | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 1987 |
| Desmond Haynes and Brain Lara | 175* | 1st | Pakistan | Melbourne | 1992 |
| Desmond Haynes and Faoud Bacchus | 172* | 1st | Zimbabwe | Birmingham | 1983 |
| Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy | 154 | 6th | Ireland | Nelson | 2015 |
| Rohan Kanhai and Viv Richards | 149 | 4th | Australia | Lord’s | 1975 |
| Viv Richards and Collis King | 139 | 5th | England | Lord’s | 1979 |
| Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes | 138 | 1st | India | Birmingham | 1979 |
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brain Lara | 138 | 2nd | South Africa | Karachi | 1996 |
3. Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards (182 runs) against Sri Lanka in 1987 ICC event
The West Indies faced Sri Lanka in the seventh match of the Reliance World Cup in Karachi in 1987. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first. West Indies lost their first two wickets early. But after that, Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards took charge and added a partnership of 182 runs for the third wicket.
Both batters scored their centuries, respectively. Haynes scored 105 runs and Richards scored his highest ever score of 181 runs. They helped the West Indies to get a massive score of 360/4 in their 50 overs. Chasing the big target, Sri Lankan batters couldn’t do much and could only manage 169/4 in their innings. As a result, West Indies won by 191 runs, and skipper Viv Richards was named “Man of the Match.”
2. Gordon Greenidge and Larry Gomes (195* runs) against Zimbabwe in 1983 ICC event
The second highest partnership for the West Indies came in the 1983 World Cup against Zimbabwe at Worcester. The West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. With the half-centuries from Dave Houghton (54) and skipper Duncan Fletcher (71), Zimbabwe scored 217/7 in their 50 overs. Chasing the target, the Caribbean team lost two wickets early for 23 runs.
But after that, a massive partnership between Gordon Greenidge and Larry Gomes won the game for their team. Both batters added an unbeaten partnership of 195* runs for the third wicket to seal the deal. Greenidge made an unbeaten century and scored 105* off 147 balls, while Gomes was not out on 75 runs.
1. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels (372 runs) against Zimbabwe in 2015 ODI World Cup
This match broke many records in World Cup history. This match also featured the highest ever partnership for any team, not just the West Indies, and not just in the ODI World Cup, but in all ODI matches. It was the 15th match between West Indies and Zimbabwe at Canberra. The West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first but lost their first wicket off the second ball of the innings.
But after that, it was like a storm on the cricket field. The duo of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels just kept going and scoring at will. Both batters added the biggest partnership in white-ball cricket of 372 runs for any wicket. As a result, the West Indies scored 372 runs in their 50 overs. Gayle smashed a double century and one of the highest individual scores ever, 215 runs off 147 balls. Samuels scored 133* runs off 156 balls. The Caribbean team posted a huge target of 372 runs, and in return, Zimbabwe also played well. But they got all out for 289 runs and lost the match.