SYLHET, Bangladesh- A year of progress, a statement of intent and a finish to remember, the West Indies signed off 2026 in style, completing the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle with a series victory over Bangladesh and an unbeaten series record for the calendar year.
The achievement carried added significance, as it marked the first time since 1994 that the Caribbean side had gone through a calendar year without losing a Test series as well as extending their unbeaten run to three consecutive series for the first time since the 2012–13 period.
After comprehensively outplaying the hosts by eight wickets on a sharply turning surface in Dhaka, the West Indies carried their momentum into Sylhet, where their impressive batting returns throughout the cycle once again came to the fore to seal the series in a drawn encounter.
Recovering from 27 for 3, the visitors showcased their batting resilience to post a competitive 356 in their first innings. Amir Jangoo led the recovery with his second Test century, which was also his second of the championship cycle, while debutant Kevin Wickham and Justin Greaves made valuable half-centuries to strengthen the West Indies’ position.
Despite a double century from Towhid Hridoy, the West Indies restricted Bangladesh to a lead of just 30 runs, with Jomel Warrican claiming four wickets to bowl out the hosts for 386.
The Caribbean side then strengthened their grip on the contest through a magnificent third Test century from Kavem Hodge, all three of which have come away from home. Hodge produced a career-best 142, striking 17 fours and a six, to guide the West Indies to 398 for 6 declared and establish a commanding lead of 368.
Hodge shared a crucial 165-run third-wicket partnership with debutant Kevin Wickham, who continued his impressive introduction to Test cricket by creating a piece of history. Wickham became the eighth West Indian to register fifty plus scores in both innings on Test debut, and the first to achieve the feat since 1978.
He followed up his impressive first-innings 61 with another valuable contribution of 78 in the second innings, underlining a memorable debut in the Caribbean colours.
The West Indies’ batting showed considerable improvement throughout the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, with the Caribbean side registering 11 centuries across their 14 matches, a remarkable 450 per cent increase on the two centuries recorded in the previous cycle.
Shai Hope led the run-scoring charts for the West Indies, accumulating 792 runs, including three centuries, with the highest score of 140. Amir Jangoo produced the highest individual score of the cycle for the Caribbean side, smashing 233 against Sri Lanka before adding another century in his six matches.
Justin Greaves and Kavem Hodge also made significant contributions, registering two centuries apiece, while John Campbell and Roston Chase were the other West Indian batsmen to reach three figures during the cycle, which began in June 2025.
The bowling unit was equally impressive, with five players claiming at least 20 wickets over the two-year period. Fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales spearheaded the attack, finishing with 40 and 38 wickets respectively.
Joseph’s tally included a five-wicket haul and four four-wicket hauls, while Seales registered two five-wicket hauls. Vice-captain Jomel Warrican also enjoyed a productive cycle, claiming 27 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. His standout performance came in Mirpur, where his match figures of 9 for 116 inspired the West Indies to victory.
He also joined the 100-wicket club, the seventh spinner from the region to achieve the milestone.
All-rounder Justin Greaves was another influential performer with the ball, claiming 26 wickets. His maiden Test five-wicket haul came during the West Indies’ 90-run victory over Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Greaves also etched his name into Test history by becoming the first bowler to take a wicket in five consecutive maiden overs.
Kemar Roach became the fifth West Indian bowler to claim 300 test wickets as he bagged 20 wickets in his six matches to move into a list which includes, Courtney Walsh, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall & Lance Gibbs.
Roston Chase joined Sir Garfield Sobers, Carl Hooper and Jason Holder to accumulate 2500 runs and 100 wickets for the West Indies.
Captain Roston Chase was happy to see the progress of the team after closing out the year unbeaten.
“I thought we had a good year and we had our plans. We had three series and we didn’t lose any this year. We won two out of three and we’re moving in the right direction.” Chase said.
The West Indies will now look to build on the foundations laid during the cycle, taking confidence from a year that delivered series success, individual milestones and encouraging signs of collective improvement.
