The 1970’s had ended with the world game being split, due to the emergence of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket and the respective boards suspending players who had been involved.
By the time of the West Indies 1980 tour to England most of those issues had been resolved and the tourists were now acclaimed as the most formidable side on the planet and were close to full strength for a five Test series, the first of which would be held at Trent Bridge.
Having been in the UK for over a month, the tourists were nicely warmed up after a succession of county fixtures, both 3-day and 1-day, and they had also drawn a 2-match One Day International series against England.
"Botham won his first toss and opted to bat, but prodigious movement off the seam troubled his men all day."
Desmond Haynes had replaced Roy Fredericks as Greenidge’s opening partner and Malcolm Marshall had become the latest to emerge from the conveyor belt of express bowlers, joining Roberts, Holding and Garner as the most potent battery of quickies ever assembled.
England began the summer programme by putting a new man in charge, Somerset’s talismanic all-rounder Ian Botham. Bob Woolmer and Alan Knott had been welcomed back into the fold after their defection to WSC over the previous three years and there was also a debutant batsman in the top order, in Kent’s Chris Tavare.
Botham won his first toss and opted to bat, but prodigious movement off the seam troubled his men all day on their way to being dismissed for a disappointing 263, with only the captain passing fifty and Roberts taking 5-72.
Richards, Greenidge and Deryck Murray all made half centuries when the West Indies batted, edging them to a score of 308 and a first innings lead of 45.
Only Geoff Boycott, with 75, could get to grips with the conditions or the bowling as England again fell cheaply, leaving the West Indies to score 208.
A 65 minute cameo from Viv Richards, during which he struck eight majestic fours on his way to 48, looked to make the result a formality but his departure meant that 99 were required on the final day, with 8 wickets left.
Mike Hendrick – later to join Nottinghamshire – dismissed Faoud Bacchus at the start of play on the fifth morning and the nerves began to intensify in the visitor’s dressing room as wickets tumbled steadily.
Bob Willis bowled beautifully, with great energy and control, as only Haynes remained of the recognised batsmen. He inched his side to within three of victory but was then eighth man out for 62. Run out by a direct hit from Peter Willey, he left the field in tears but could celebrate moments later as Roberts hit the winning runs in one of the tightest Test finishes for some time.
Match Summary
5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th June 1980 (5 day match)
Toss: won by England who elected to bat
Umpires: DJ Constant, DO Oslear
Result: West Indies won by 2 wickets
Match Tickets On Sale Now
England v West Indies - Investec Test at Trent Bridge
England face West Indies in an Investec Test Match at Trent Bridge from Friday 25 May - Tuesday 29 May. Adult tickets cost £35-£50, all under 21s tickets cost £20, under 16s tickets cost £10 (£8 for day four) and family tickets cost £80 (2 adults, 2 under 16s).
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England v West Indies - Natwest International Twenty20 at Trent Bridge
England face West Indies in a Natwest International Twenty20 at Trent Bridge at 2.30pm on Sunday 24 June. Adult tickets cost £25-£45, all under 21s tickets cost £20, under 16s tickets cost £10 and family tickets cost £60 (2 adults, 2 under 16s).
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Read our exclusive West Indies Edition of Covered Magazine here.
International Hospitality At Trent Bridge
In 2012, England will play three matches at Trent Bridge and our hospitality guests will have the best seats in the house. Limited capacity remains for all days of play with shared facilities and private boxes ready to host you and your guests. Click here for details and pricing.
Clarke's Meadow & The Calypso Kings
Clarke’s Meadow & The Calypso Kings, the new hardback from Dave Bracegirdle, looks at how the West Indies have managed to keep intact a proud record of never having lost a first class fixtureat Trent Bridge and profiles the players who have enjoyed themselves as members of the county club.
Probably more than any other ground outside the Caribbean, Trent Bridge has become synonymous with West Indian success and a long unbeaten run in first class matches, a statistic that will next be tested during the Investec Test Match in May.
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Dave Bracegirdle is a broadcaster, sports writer and author who provides ball-by-ball commentary of all of Nottinghamshire's LV= County Championship matches.