Denesh Ramdin and West Indies’ other wicketkeeper captains

Ramdin is all set to be the fifth wicket-keeper captain for West Indies. Karl Nunes, of course, was the first captain of West Indies. Originally named deputy to Harold Austin, Nunes filled in and was at the receiving end of three innings defeats in the 1928 tour of England. His fourth and final Test was the famous one where Andy Sandham scored the first triple-hundred and the Test ended with West Indies on 408 for five chasing 836, George Headley scoring 223.

Gerry Alexander came next. He was the first full-time glovesman to captain West Indies, still second on the all-time list across countries with 18 Tests at the helm. He led West Indies in four full series, was the captain when Garry Sobers scored 365 not out for and Hanif Mohammad 338 against them, and created news when he sent Roy Gilchrist back mid-tour. He was succeeded by Frank Worrell, in the opinion of many the greatest captain in the history of the Caribbeans.

Deryck Murray, vice-captain of Clive Lloyd’s side before Richards got the post, got to lead West Indies in a solitary Test at The Gabba when Lloyd had still not recovered from a knee surgery. Richards scored 140, but more significantly, Joel Garner blasted his way to an 83-ball 60; Australia fought back with hundreds from Greg Chappell and Kim Hughes; and the Test ended in a draw. Lloyd was back for the next two Tests, and the Australians were crushed by ten wickets and 408 runs.