“Those two little pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine” were the lines from the famous song that echoed in the outfield of Lord's. The year was 1950 and the West Indies had just won their first Test on English soil. It took them 22 years to break the English juggernaut. Today's story is about another such conquest. A victory worth inspiring a Calypso. 

The boys from the Caribbean set foot on the Australian shores in an almost unacknowledged environment. Don't believe me? Here is a fact. They had 7 uncapped players in the team. Including Shamar Joseph. A name that is now a part of every child's folklore in the island nation. For a ‘tucked in’ two-test series whose results were announced even before it began. With zero or little interest. 2003 is when they had last won a Test. The Brian Lara-led side chased a mighty 418. No wonder he was in tears as he called out this game from the commentary box. 

27 years is what it took them to beat Australia at their home soil. “See you at the Gabba”, the Aussies kept saying. But can they anymore? India stunned them in 2021. And now the West Indies. On a day when the two giants India and England were fighting it out in Hyderabad, the world was glued to the Gabba. They sensed something special in the offering. This was the game Test cricket was seeking.

You wanted the West Indies to win. So much so that you forgot they weren't even part of the World Cup a few months ago. Is this the magic of sport everyone keeps talking about? Is this the match that will rekindle the love affair between the West Indies and Test cricket?I certainly hope so. It's been far too long a wait.

I also hope this starts a conversation. We can keep talking about how Test cricket is the best format. But unless backed by a strong, sustainable and inclusive financial model, they are mere words. And a certain hypocrisy. Players shouldn't have to choose. Sports is more than a win-loss binary. This victory proves that. Test cricket needs the West Indies. And we need a Calypso. Is anybody from the Caribbean listening?