5 biggest controversies in West Indies cricket 

#1 The Second-most Controversial tour in history

Len Hutton (batting) endured a torrid time during the tour

England’s tour to the West Indies back in 1953-54 remains one of the most controversial episodes in the history of cricket and according to Wisden, it is the second most controversial tour in cricket history.

Due to the political upheavals that had taken place over the years leading up to the series (India’s independence among others), the Caribbean islands were also looking for independence from the Commonwealth and it was in that backdrop that the England team arrived in the West Indies.

The white population in the islands goaded the team to beat the local teams and although the England team refused to be drawn into such partisanship, there was palpable discord between the tourists and the opposition.

England captain Len Hutton refused to socialise with the West Indian players and that struck a bad note as well. However, that was only the tip of the problems.

The local umpire’s decision to give Jamaican player JK Holt out leg before in the first Test at his home ground led to an assault on his family.

On the other hand, a runout decision sparked a riot in the stands and bottles were thrown on to the pitch.

Play had to be suspended for a bit. England spinner was also no-balled for chucking when he bowled the quicker delivery and that remained another bone of contention. In that regard, it must be said that Lock had been no-balled for chucking in the past as well.

However, the biggest incident occurred when Len Hutton had apparently ignored the congratulations offered by Alexander Bustamante (the Jamaican chief minister) and walked straight into the dressing room.

Right after the incident, England’s player-manager Charles Palmer was assaulted by one of the members of the minister’s minions. It was a tour that remains a controversial episode in West Indian cricket history and one that Hutton later claimed ate up two years of his career.

---

What do you think about our list? Sound off your opinion in the comments section below!