THE year 2023 was another eventful one for cricket. The West Indies men were unbeaten in T20 series during the year under their new captain, Rovman Powell, defeating three quality teams.
Despite a memorable year in the T20 format, the 50-over version did not go as planned as the two-time World Cup 50-Over winners failed to book a spot at the global tournament.
Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), in their sixth appearance in the final, finally won a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title, giving their passionate fans a trophy they've been coveting since 2013.
Off the field, there were changes as a new Cricket West Indies president was elected and a two-time T20 World Cup champion was appointed the West Indies white-ball coach.
No World Cup for West Indies
West Indies, World Cup winners in 1975 and 1979, did not qualify for the 2023 edition. Owing to their low ICC ranking, West Indies needed to compete in the ten-team World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe to earn a spot at the World Cup.
With their rich history, many would have counted on West Indies booking their spot.
West Indies got their campaign off to a strong start with victories over US and Nepal. But it went downhill from there, with losses to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.
The defeat against Netherlands was a shocking result as West Indies posted a massive 374/6, a total that seemed impossible to overhaul.
The Netherlands did not get that memo as they also scored 374 to force a super over. The Netherlands struck former captain Jason Holder for 30 runs in the super over, before dismissing West Indies for just eight to win the match.
West Indies then needed a flawless performance in the Super Sixes stage of the tournament to have any chance of finishing as one of the top two teams to qualify for the World Cup. It did not go their way as two losses in three matches in the Super Sixes meant West Indies failed to qualify for the first time in their history.
Powell's men perfect in T20s
Romario Shepherd's profound improvement as a fast bowler, left-arm spin twins Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, the power hitting of Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran, the steady Shai Hope and the return of Andre Russell for the England series at the end of the year all contributed to the West Indies success.
Despite being T20 World Cup champions in 2012 and 2016, West Indies have struggled to maintain consistency since. This year, however, West Indies were unbeaten in series under Powell, who was announced as the new skipper in February, replacing Pooran.
Powell's first role as captain was leading West Indies in a three-match series away from home against South Africa. West Indies pulled off a 2-1 series win as Powell's tenure started on a high.
[caption id="attachment_1052204" align="alignnone" width="1003"] West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie bowls against England in the 4th in Trinidad. - LINCOLN HOLDER[/caption]
Fast forward to August, West Indies hosted India in a five-match series with matches played in the Caribbean and Florida. India were mi
