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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Simon Burnton in Antigua

In search of joy: West Indies cricket faces long rebuild after years of woe

West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite looks dejected after his swing for six to win the game against New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup was foiled by Trent Boult's catch
Despair for Carlos Brathwaite as West Indies lose to New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup, beginning a long streak of tournament failures. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

“The typical West Indies fan is a jaded fan, a jaded, battered, worn fan, who is actually at the point of I would say searching for something that will bring joy and happiness from a cricket point of view,” says Daren Ganga, the former West Indies cricketer. “When the West Indies play, yes there is that sense of regional pride, there is that sense of spirit and willing a win, but their expectations have been tempered. Any sort of win is celebrated in great style, because it is a rare occasion.”

If England fans are feeling down in the dumps about their team’s recent white-ball travails, they should spare a thought for their next opponents, because the past few years have been ineffably grim for West Indies.

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