Book Review: Almost Invincible by Richard Sydenham

The West Indian side that toured England in 1984 was the best that I have seen in my lifetime. 

The Australian side under Steve Waugh was outstanding and before my time, Bradman's 'Invincibles' in 1948 cut a swathe through post-war England. These were both remarkable squads of cricketers, with depth to cover all eventualities. 

It would be very difficult to go past the 1984 West Indians, however, as the best of them all. 

They had a top four for the ages... Greenidge, Haynes, Gomes and Richards. It didn't very often happen, but if you manage to get through that lineup unscathed, there was Clive Lloyd and Geoffrey Dujon to follow. Yet such a stellar lineup wasn't the main reason for the success of the team.

That was in the pace attack. There had been nothing like it before and has certainly been nothing to compare since. Holding, Garner, Marshall and Walsh all bowled with serious pace, Eldine Baptiste lent good support and Roger Harper gave them a break on the occasions that England held them up. So good was that attack that such bowlers as Winston Davis, Patrick Patterson and Wayne Daniel didn't make the cut, quite remarkable when you think of the impact those players had on the county game at the time.

Richard Sydenham's excellent book brings back the brilliance of that side for the modern generation, who never saw them in their prime. It probably brings nightmares for the England batters who had to prepare physically and mentally for the barrage of pace and short bowling which was draining. The West Indies won the Test series 5-0 and England were lucky to get nil. 

The author has spoken to many of the participants in the series and it is all the better for their insight and involvement. England rotated players and tried a few options, but their opponents had an answer to everything. 

The book ends with a look at the three sides I referred to at the start to decide which was the greatest of them all.

There were other outstanding West Indian sides around this time, featuring equally fast and nasty bowlers, but for me this squad would take some beating. The accounts as they made their way around the country are fascinating and, from the viewpoint of a young man at the time, it was incredible to watch. 

Eight of the side would have strong claims to be in the greatest ever West Indian eleven and this book is a worthy account of their brilliance.

It is an excellent read. 

Almost Invincible: West Indies in England 1984 is written by Richard Sydenham and published by Pitch Publishing