“WE know how to party … I think they’ll need a lot of bartenders”

That was West Indies captain Darren Sammy’s declaration following his team’s first success in a cricket world title since 1979.

“This here [the trophy] is for the Caribbean people,” Sammy said after the game.

“West Indies fans all over the world have been craving success. I know they’re partying from Jamaica down to Guyana,”

The West Indies cricket team has a long and rich history. The first combined West Indian team was formed in the 1890’s and the team played their first test match in 1928. Success came and went until the mid 1970’s when they won two consecutive ICC World Cups in 1975 and 1979.

In 1984, they set a then record of 11 consecutive test victories and made their mark on world cricket. The West Indies team of the 1970’s and 1980’s is widely regarded as one of the best teams in test cricket history.

Since then, however, there has been little success for a team that once dominated their sport. As old champions retired, new players arrived and supporters in the Caribbean turned their attention to other sports that were generating success, such as athletics. Controversies have marred the team regarding sponsorship and payment disputes and as a result, West Indies fielded a second rate side on more than one occasion.

It is a far cry from the close-knit, united group of West Indian men we saw performing choreographed celebrations in the T20 final.

Throughout this tournament, anyone could see the bond that existed between these men, the burning desire for success not only for the players, but for the Caribbean.

Whether it was “Gangnam Style” dancing following a wicket or Pollard and Gayle combining to hit 25 runs off the last over in the semi final, it was no question the passion for West Indies cricket was alive again.
“We haven’t been winning any major title for years now,” Marlon Samuels said after the win.
“This is a great achievement, for past cricketers and for these cricketers who have bonded together to form a strong unit.”

There is no doubt that this is more than just a win for West Indies. It is huge for the T20 form of the game, which is not without it’s critics.

West Indies hit 49 sixes during the World T20, 18 more than next best, Australia. They played fearless cricket, much like the team of the 1970’s and 80’s.

Players like Chris Gayle and Samuels bring excitement to the game with their big hitting, and the aura of the West Indies team with their dancing and confidence makes them instantly lovable – people want to watch them.

T20 has given West Indies the chance to put everything out there and take risks; there’s not really any other choice in a game of such limited overs. It has worked for them; they have a world title under their belt and now have a burning desire to continue this success in the other forms of the game.

“This is T20, but it can bring a lot of fans to watch us,” Samuels said.

“Around the world, people still love to watch West Indies cricket. It is wonderful to bring back new people and people who have been watching cricket for a long time.”

“We will celebrate as long as possible and enjoy the moment … the entire Caribbean embraces it … It means the world to us.”

The cricket fans in the Carribean have been awakened and the West Indies may again become a force to be reckoned with.

This is not just a win for West Indies, but for the cricket world as a whole.