Australian cricket team in the West Indies in 1990–91

Australian squad

Australia had just defeated England 3–0 at home during the 1990–91 season. The team has recovered from the defeats of the mid 80s and there was hope the team could beat the West Indies in a series for the first time since 1975–76. Wisden wrote that the tour "began with exalted expectations of an epic contest between arguably the two strongest teams in the game."

The Australian squad was as follows:

• Batsmen – Allan Border (captain), Geoff Marsh (vice-captain), David Boon, Dean Jones, Mark Taylor, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Mike Veletta (also back up keeper)
• Fast bowlers – Terry Alderman, Craig McDermott, Mike Whitney, Merv Hughes, Bruce Reid
• Spinners – Greg Matthews, Peter Taylor
• Wicketkeeper – Ian Healy

Test series summary

The West Indies won the second and fourth tests easily. Australia won the fifth test.

1st Test

(5-day match)

| score-team1-inns1 = 264 (82.3 overs) | runs-team1-inns1 = AL Logie 77* (110) | wickets-team1-inns1 = CJ McDermott 5/80 (23 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 371 (120 overs) | runs-team2-inns1 = DC Boon 109* (243) | wickets-team2-inns1 = BP Patterson 5/83 (24 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 334/3 (111 overs) | runs-team1-inns2 = RB Richardson 104* (233) | wickets-team1-inns2 = CJ McDermott 3/48 (24 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = | runs-team2-inns2 = | wickets-team2-inns2 =

• There was no play on the fourth day.

2nd Test

(5-day match)

| score-team1-inns1 = 348 (116.4 overs) | runs-team1-inns1 = GR Marsh 94 (224) | wickets-team1-inns1 = BP Patterson 4/80 (24 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 569 (153.5 overs) | runs-team2-inns1 = RB Richardson 182 (260) | wickets-team2-inns1 = AR Border 5/68 (30 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 248 (98 overs) | runs-team1-inns2 = IA Healy 47 (120) | wickets-team1-inns2 = MD Marshall 3/31 (15 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 31/0 (7.5 overs) | runs-team2-inns2 = DL Haynes 23* (27) | wickets-team2-inns2 =

3rd Test

(5-day match)

| score-team1-inns1 = 294 (128.1 overs) | runs-team1-inns1 = ME Waugh 64 (181) | wickets-team1-inns1 = BP Patterson 4/50 (26 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 227 (84.2 overs) | runs-team2-inns1 = PJL Dujon 70 (178) | wickets-team2-inns1 = MG Hughes 4/48 (17 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 123/3d (53 overs) | runs-team1-inns2 = DM Jones 39* (118) | wickets-team1-inns2 = CA Walsh 1/11 (12 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = | runs-team2-inns2 = | wickets-team2-inns2 =

4th Test

(5-day match)

| score-team1-inns1 = 149 (61.1 overs) | runs-team1-inns1 = IVA Richards 32 (64) | wickets-team1-inns1 = MG Hughes 4/44 (16.1 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 134 (50.1 overs) | runs-team2-inns1 = AR Border 29 (68) | wickets-team2-inns1 = CA Walsh 4/14 (5.1 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 536/9d (162.3 overs) | runs-team1-inns2 = CG Greenidge 226 (480) | wickets-team1-inns2 = ME Waugh 4/80 (28 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 208 (87.2 overs) | runs-team2-inns2 = MA Taylor 76 (243) | wickets-team2-inns2 = MD Marshall 3/35 (17 overs)

5th Test

(5-day match)

| score-team1-inns1 = 403 (108 overs) | runs-team1-inns1 = ME Waugh 139* (188) | wickets-team1-inns1 = CEL Ambrose 3/92 (30 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 214 (55 overs) | runs-team2-inns1 = DL Haynes 84 (119) | wickets-team2-inns1 = CJ McDermott 4/65 (15 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 265 (91.1 overs) | runs-team1-inns2 = MA Taylor 144 (281) | wickets-team1-inns2 = CA Walsh 4/56 (26 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 297 (81.4 overs) | runs-team2-inns2 = AL Logie 61 (114) | wickets-team2-inns2 = MG Hughes 2/49 (19 overs)

• The match was scheduled for five days but completed in four.

ODI series summary

Australia won the Cable and Wireless Series 4–1.

1st ODI

2nd ODI

• The match was later reduced to 34 overs per side.

3rd ODI

• West Indies target was reduced to 181 runs in 36 overs (as 245 x 36/49 = 180).

4th ODI

5th ODI

Controversy

A book was written about the tour, Calypso Cricket by Roland Fishman, in which some Australian cricketers were quoted bragging about how many women they slept with. This was seen as a breach of the unspoken agreement between players and journalists for the latter not to report on the former's private lives, and embarrassed Greg Matthews, who was a friend of Fishman's, and who helped him get access to the players. Matthews:

Fishman lied to me. He bludged my money, my clothes, my bed and he told me he was writing a story about cricket in the Caribbean and the way of life. It was anything but that. He deceived me to the max. I haven't seen him since and next time I see him I'll be spitting in his face.

References

References

1. [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/153180.html Australian Cricket Team in West Indies 1990–91] at [[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Wisden]]
2. [http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/sunday-mail/the-partys-over-for-playboys-of-sport/story-e6frep2o-1225807288849 Peter Badel, "The party's over for playboys of sport", ''The Sunday Mail (Qld)'' December 06, 2009] accessed 19 December 2012
3. [http://www.insidesport.com.au/is/index?pg=features&spg=0605_mo_02.htm Andrew Webster, "What's the Go, Mo?", ''Inside Sport''] accessed 19 December 2012