By Zainab Shafiq 
Once a powerhouse of world cricket, the West Indies now find themselves in a spiralling decline. The downfall of West Indies cricket has become increasingly evident in 2025, marked by crushing losses, inconsistent performances, and historical embarrassments. Once feared for their fire-breathing pacers and charismatic match-winners, the Caribbean side now often struggles to even compete.
Let’s break down their recent struggles to understand what went wrong, and whether there’s a way back.
Humiliation at Home: Australia Tour of West Indies 2025
The lowest point in recent memory came on July 21, 2025, when West Indies were bundled out for just 27 runs in a Test match against Australia, a score that now stands as the second-lowest total in Test history. This moment became a grim symbol of the downfall of West Indies cricket, highlighting technical frailty, mental collapse, and a lack of international standard.
Australia didn’t stop there. They went on to whitewash West Indies 3-0 in the Test series, winning each match by huge margins. In the five-match T20I series, the Windies again failed to defend competitive totals:
- 1st T20I: Lost by 3 wickets despite scoring 189/8
- 2nd T20I: Lost by 8 wickets, Australia chasing 173 in just 15.2 overs
- 3rd T20I: Lost by 6 wickets, after setting 214/4
West Indies scored well, but couldn’t defend, exposing bowling depth issues and tactical blunders. The two remaining T20Is provide them a chance to rectify their mistakes.
A Disastrous Tour of England
If the Australia series was a nightmare, the tour to England wasn’t far behind. West Indies were completely outclassed in both ODIs and T20Is.
ODI Series vs England:
- 1st ODI: Bowled out for 162 chasing 401 – lost by 238 runs
- 2nd ODI: Scored 308 but lost in the final over
- 3rd ODI: Lost by 7 wickets (DLS), unable to defend 251
T20I Series vs England:
- 1st T20I: Lost by 21 runs
- 2nd T20I: Lost by 4 wickets
- 3rd T20I: Lost by 37 runs despite scoring 211/8
That’s six consecutive defeats on English soil across formats. The lack of adaptability and death bowling precision became painfully obvious. West Indies cricket fans, used to flair and fight, saw neither.
Mixed Fortunes in Ireland
Against a weaker opponent, West Indies finally saw some success in their ODI and T20I series in Ireland, though even here they suffered a 124-run defeat in the 1st ODI.
- 1st ODI: Bowled out for 179 chasing 304
- 2nd ODI: No result despite posting 352/8
- 3rd ODI: Dominated with 385/7, winning by 198 runs (DLS)
T20Is in Ireland were largely disrupted by rain, but West Indies did claim a win in the final game, scoring 256/5 and restricting Ireland to 194/7. Still, performances remained inconsistent.
The Bigger Picture: No CT25, No ODI World Cup 2023
One of the most glaring indicators of the downfall of West Indies cricket is their absence from major ICC tournaments. They failed to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup, a shocking low for a team that once lifted the trophy in 1975 and 1979.
This failure had ripple effects, West Indies also couldn’t qualify for Champions Trophy 2025 (CT25). For a Full Member nation, that is a massive red flag and a sign of administrative, developmental, and strategic failure.
What’s Behind the Collapse?
The root causes of the downfall of West Indies cricket are layered:
1. Board and Administrative Issues
Frequent disputes between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and players, payment issues, and inconsistent team management have stunted long-term growth.
2. Brain Drain to T20 Leagues
Many talented Caribbean players are opting for franchise cricket in leagues like IPL, CPL, and ILT20 over national duty, leading to poor team chemistry and player rotation.
3. Lack of Grassroots Infrastructure
Youth development and local coaching structures lag behind global standards. Few academies are producing technically solid players.
4. Captaincy and Leadership Confusion
Frequent changes in leadership have created instability. No one has truly filled the shoes of Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, or Chris Gayle.
What Needs to Change?
To rebuild, West Indies cricket needs urgent reform:
- Revamp domestic structure with better pitches, coaching, and fitness programs
- Prioritise national contracts to keep players committed
- Invest in Under-19 and grassroots cricket
- Create a centralised talent pool for Test and ODI formats
- Stabilise team leadership and vision over a 3-5 year roadmap
Only a long-term plan with genuine commitment from both players and the board can arrest the decline.
Conclusion
The downfall of West Indies cricket is no longer a hypothetical fear, it’s a harsh reality. From record-low scores to whitewashes and tournament exclusions, the Windies are stuck in a deepening rut. The talent is there, no doubt, but without urgent structural reforms, the West Indies may soon become a nostalgic footnote rather than a feared competitor.
For now, fans can only hope that the Caribbean spirit, once the soul of cricket, can rise again.
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