Stats: West Indies set to become 3rd team in the world to play 500 Test matches
The 2nd Test of the ongoing series between West Indies and Bangladesh, scheduled to start at Gros Islet on Saturday, will mark the 500th Test match for West Indies.
Having played their first Test against England at Lord’s in 1928, the Windies went on to dominate the cricketing world later in the century, reknowned for their devastating fast bowling in the 80s coupled with ferocious batting.
Even though they are not the world beaters anymore, Denesh Ramdin’s men will be upbeat to celebrate their landmark Test by crushing the Bangladesh and seal the series. The Test will also enable West Indies to join England (952) and Australia (767) as only the third team to compete in more 500 or more Test matches.
India sits at fourth place with 483 matches under their belt. South Africa’s absence from international cricket stretching across two decades in the past means New Zealand (394) are ahead of them at 5. Pakistan and Sri Lanka follow the Protean side with 382 and 233 Test matches respectively.
Most Test matches by a team:
| # | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 952 | 339 | 275 | 0 |
338 |
| 2 | Australia | 767 | 360 |
203 |
2 | 202 |
| 3 | West Indies | 500* | 162 | 168 | 1 | 168 |
| 4 | India | 483 | 122 | 154 | 1 | 206 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 394 | 77 | 159 | 0 | 158 |
| 6 | South Africa | 387 | 142 | 129 | 0 | 116 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 382 | 118 | 109 | 0 | 155 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 233 | 71 | 82 | 0 | 80 |
| 9 | Zimbabwe | 94 | 11 | 57 | 0 | 26 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 85* | 4 | 69 | 0 | 11 |
*Including the 2nd West Indies-Bangladesh Test
**Stats as on 12th September, 2014