Sporting Witness - Cricket's Blackwash test series

Cricket's Blackwash test series

Download Cricket's Blackwash test series

In 1984, the West Indies celebrated a 5-0 test series defeat of England on British soil - a historic cricketing victory that became known as Blackwash.

But for Windies fans, it was more than just a record score-line. It was also recognition at a time when many British Caribbean communities were suffering racism, unemployment and poverty.

They flooded onto the pitch to celebrate, unfurling a banner in bold painted letters which read ‘Blackwash’.

It had a huge impact, as West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding tells Jane Wilkinson.

(Photo: Blackwash banner, The Oval, 1984. Credit: Allsport/Getty Images)

Published on Saturday, 19th August 2023.

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