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The West Indies and Australia have one of the longest and most historically significant rivalries in international cricket. Their contests span Test cricket from 1930, ODI cricket from the inaugural World Cup era and T20 internationals from 2008.
The rivalry has included dominant eras, legendary fast-bowling attacks, dramatic World Cup encounters and one of the most famous tied Tests ever played. It is also associated with the Frank Worrell Trophy, contested by the two teams in Test cricket.
Australia has the stronger overall statistical record, but the history of the rivalry has changed considerably from era to era. The West Indies were the dominant force during much of the 1970s and 1980s, while Australia enjoyed extended periods of superiority before and after that era.
As of the latest completed men’s internationals between the sides, Australia leads the overall Test, ODI and T20I head-to-head records.
West Indies vs Australia Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Major event | Result/Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | First Test series | Australia won 4-1 |
| 1935 | First West Indies Test series win over Australia | West Indies won 2-1 |
| 1951-52 | Australia tour of West Indies | Australia won 4-1 |
| 1960-61 | Famous tied Test at Brisbane | Match ended in a tie |
| 1965 | West Indies win home series | West Indies won 2-1 |
| 1975 | First World Cup meeting | West Indies won by 7 wickets |
| 1975-76 | Australia vs West Indies | Australia won 5-1 |
| 1979 | World Cup meeting | West Indies won |
| 1984-85 | Australia tour of West Indies | West Indies won 3-1 |
| 1988-89 | Australia tour of West Indies | West Indies won 1-0 |
| 1992 | World Cup meeting | Australia won by 107 runs |
| 1996 | World Cup semi-final | Australia won by 5 runs |
| 1999 | World Cup Super Six | Australia won by 6 wickets |
| 2003 | World Cup meeting | Australia won by 6 wickets |
| 2008 | First T20I | West Indies won by 7 wickets |
| 2015 | Test series | Australia won 2-0 |
| 2019 | World Cup meeting | Australia won by 15 runs |
| 2024 | West Indies shock Australia at Brisbane | West Indies won by 8 runs |
| 2025 | Three-Test series | Australia won 3-0 |
| 2025 | Five-match T20I series | Australia won 5-0 |
1930: The Test Rivalry Begins
The first official Test series between Australia and the West Indies took place in Australia during the 1930-31 season.
It was a five-Test series, and Australia won four matches while West Indies claimed one victory.
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Adelaide | Australia won by 10 wickets |
| 2nd | Sydney | Australia won by an innings and 172 runs |
| 3rd | Brisbane | Australia won by an innings and 217 runs |
| 4th | Melbourne | Australia won by an innings and 122 runs |
| 5th | Sydney | West Indies won by 30 runs |
The final Test was particularly important for West Indies. After Australia had dominated the opening four matches, the visitors finished the tour with a 30-run victory.
That first series established a rivalry that would eventually become one of Test cricket’s most recognizable contests.
1935: West Indies Record Their First Series Win
West Indies achieved their first Test-series victory over Australia in 1935.
Playing at home, the West Indies won the four-Test series 2-1, with one match drawn.
The result represented an important reversal from the inaugural series and showed that West Indies cricket was developing rapidly at international level.
1951-52: Australia Regain Control
Australia toured the Caribbean in 1951-52 for a five-Test series.
The visitors won the series 4-1.
Australia’s ability to perform consistently across a long Test series again became a recurring theme in the rivalry.
By this stage, both teams had developed considerable cricketing traditions, but Australia continued to hold the advantage in overall results.
1960-61: The Famous Tied Test
One of the greatest matches in cricket history occurred during Australia’s 1960-61 home series against West Indies.
The first Test was played at Brisbane’s Gabba.
Australia and West Indies finished with exactly the same score after the final wicket fell.
The match became only the second tied Test in international cricket history.
The contest is remembered not only because of the result but because of the quality and tension of the cricket. West Indies were captained by Frank Worrell, while Australia were led by Richie Benaud.
The dramatic series helped strengthen the cricketing relationship between the two countries.
The Test rivalry trophy was later named the Frank Worrell Trophy in honor of the West Indies captain.
1965: West Indies Win Another Home Series
West Indies again defeated Australia in a Test series in 1964-65.
The hosts won 2-1, with two Tests drawn.
This was another important period in which the West Indies demonstrated that they could challenge Australia over a complete series rather than only in individual matches.
1975: The First World Cup Meeting
The inaugural men’s Cricket World Cup took place in England in 1975.
West Indies and Australia met in the group stage at The Oval.
West Indies won by seven wickets.
Australia were dismissed for 192, while West Indies chased the target successfully.
This match became the first World Cup chapter in the rivalry.
It also came during the beginning of the West Indies’ most dominant period in international cricket.
1975-76: Australia Hit Back
Australia hosted West Indies in a six-Test series during the 1975-76 season.
Australia won 5-1.
The series was notable for the emergence of Australia’s aggressive fast-bowling approach, while West Indies were beginning to build the pace attack that would dominate international cricket during the following decade.
Despite losing the series heavily, West Indies’ cricketing identity was about to change dramatically.
1979: West Indies Continue World Cup Dominance
West Indies and Australia met again at the 1979 World Cup.
West Indies won the contest as they continued their dominance of the global 50-over competition.
West Indies went on to win the 1979 World Cup, becoming the first team to win the tournament twice.
1984-85: West Indies Dominate Australia
The 1984-85 Test series in the Caribbean became another important chapter in West Indies dominance.
West Indies won the four-Test series 3-1.
This was the era of the great West Indies pace attacks, with fast bowlers capable of maintaining pressure throughout long spells.
Australia found it extremely difficult to cope with the combination of pace, bounce and sustained hostility.
1988-89: Another West Indies Series Victory
Australia toured the Caribbean again in 1988-89.
West Indies won the five-Test series 1-0, with four matches drawn.
The series was much more closely contested than the 1984-85 campaign, but Australia still could not secure a series victory.
The result extended West Indies’ remarkable unbeaten record against Australia in many of their major series during this period.
1992: Australia Win at the World Cup
The 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand brought another major meeting.
Australia defeated West Indies by 107 runs.
Australia’s victory came during a period when the balance of power in international cricket was gradually beginning to shift.
The West Indies remained a formidable team, but Australia were developing the side that would become one of the most successful teams of the 1990s and 2000s.
1996: One of the Closest World Cup Matches
West Indies and Australia met in the 1996 World Cup semi-final in Mohali.
Australia won by five runs.
The match was dramatically affected by rain and a revised target.
Australia made 207/8 from their allotted overs. West Indies were chasing a revised target and appeared capable of reaching the final before Australia’s bowlers closed out the contest.
The five-run margin made it one of the closest World Cup matches between the teams.
Australia progressed to the final, where they eventually lost to Sri Lanka.
1999: Australia Win at the World Cup
The teams met again in the 1999 World Cup Super Six stage.
Australia won by six wickets.
The victory was another sign of Australia’s growing control of the rivalry in the limited-overs format.
Australia ultimately went on to win the 1999 World Cup, beginning a period of extraordinary success in the tournament.
2003: Australia Continue Their World Cup Record
At the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Australia defeated West Indies by six wickets.
Australia were defending their 1999 title and eventually won the tournament again.
West Indies were competitive but could not overcome the Australian batting lineup.
The result continued Australia’s strong World Cup record against the Caribbean side.
2008: First T20 International
The modern T20I chapter of the rivalry began in June 2008.
The first T20I between Australia and West Indies was played at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
West Indies won by seven wickets.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 169/7 |
| West Indies | 172/3 |
| Result | West Indies won by 7 wickets |
Chris Gayle played a key role in the successful chase.
The match marked the beginning of a T20I rivalry that would later produce some very high-scoring contests.
2015: Australia Win Test Series
Australia returned to the Caribbean for a two-Test series in 2015.
Australia won both Tests.
The series was another indication of Australia’s strong position in Test cricket.
By this period, West Indies were rebuilding after the retirement of several players from their great earlier generations.
2019: World Cup Thriller
The 2019 World Cup in England produced another memorable Australia-West Indies encounter.
Australia narrowly won by 15 runs.
Australia scored 288 after recovering from a difficult start.
West Indies pushed the chase deep into the innings but were eventually dismissed for 273.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 288 |
| West Indies | 273 |
| Result | Australia won by 15 runs |
The match was significant because West Indies were highly competitive against the eventual tournament champions.
Australia eventually reached the semi-finals before losing to England.
2021: T20 World Cup Meeting
Australia and West Indies met in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Australia won the Super 12 match by eight wickets.
West Indies struggled to build a sufficiently large total, and Australia completed the chase comfortably.
Australia eventually won the tournament for the first time in the men’s T20 World Cup.
2022: Australia Produce a Huge Test Total
Australia’s 2022-23 home series against West Indies featured a massive Australian first-innings score in the second Test.
Australia declared at 511/7.
West Indies were dismissed for 214 in the first innings and 77 in the second, giving Australia a 419-run victory.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 511/7d |
| West Indies | 214 |
| West Indies | 77 |
| Result | Australia won by 419 runs |
It remains one of Australia’s largest victories over West Indies in Test cricket.
2024: West Indies Produce a Historic Gabba Upset
The second Test of the 2023-24 series in Brisbane became one of the most memorable recent matches in the rivalry.
Australia made 289/9 declared in their first innings.
West Indies responded with 311, taking a 22-run lead.
Australia then made 207, leaving West Indies a target of 216.
West Indies were eventually bowled out for 193 in the first Test? No — the second Test finished with West Indies winning by eight runs after defending 216.
The final margin was extraordinary:
West Indies won by 8 runs.
Shamar Joseph became the defining figure of the match, producing a remarkable bowling performance in Australia’s second innings.
| Team | First innings | Second innings |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 289/9d | 207 |
| West Indies | 311 | 193 |
| Result | West Indies won by 8 runs |
The result ended Australia’s long unbeaten home run at the Gabba.
It also gave West Indies one of their most significant Test victories of the modern era.
2024: Australia Win the ODI Series
Australia and West Indies played three ODIs in Australia in February 2024.
Australia won all three.
| ODI | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | Australia won by 83 runs |
| 3rd ODI | Australia won by 8 wickets |
Australia’s 3-0 sweep reinforced their statistical advantage in ODI cricket.
2024: West Indies Win the T20I Series
The T20I meetings in Australia in February 2024 produced a different result.
West Indies won the third T20I by 37 runs after Australia had won the opening two matches.
The series therefore finished 2-1 in Australia’s favor.
The third match was especially notable because West Indies scored 220/6 before restricting Australia to 183/5.
2025: Australia Return to the Caribbean
Australia toured the West Indies in 2025 for a three-Test series followed by five T20Is.
The Test series formed part of the new World Test Championship cycle.
Australia won all three Tests.
First Test – Barbados
Australia won by 159 runs.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 180 & 310 |
| West Indies | 190 & 141 |
| Result | Australia won by 159 runs |
Second Test – Grenada
Australia won by 133 runs.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 286 & 243 |
| West Indies | 253 & 143 |
| Result | Australia won by 133 runs |
Third Test – Jamaica
Australia won by 176 runs.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 225 & 121 |
| West Indies | 143 & 27 |
| Result | Australia won by 176 runs |
Australia therefore completed a 3-0 Test-series sweep.
2025: Australia Sweep the T20I Series
The five-match T20I series followed the Test campaign.
Australia won every match.
| T20I | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st | Australia won by 3 wickets |
| 2nd | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| 3rd | Australia won by 6 wickets |
| 4th | Australia won by 3 wickets |
| 5th | Australia won by 3 wickets |
The third match was particularly high-scoring.
West Indies made 214/4, but Australia chased the target in only 16.1 overs, reaching 215/4.
The fifth match saw West Indies dismissed for 170 before Australia reached 173/7.
Australia therefore completed a 5-0 T20I sweep.
Overall Test Timeline
The Test rivalry has evolved through several distinct periods.
| Period | Major pattern |
|---|---|
| 1930s | Australia established early dominance |
| 1940s-50s | West Indies developed into a major Test force |
| 1960s | Closely contested series and famous tied Test |
| 1970s | West Indies became a global powerhouse |
| 1980s | West Indies dominated Australia in several series |
| 1990s | Australia began taking control |
| 2000s | Australia generally held the advantage |
| 2010s | Australia remained stronger statistically |
| 2020s | West Indies produced isolated major victories, including Brisbane 2024 |
| 2025 | Australia won the Test series 3-0 |
Overall ODI Timeline
The ODI rivalry developed alongside the World Cup.
The first World Cup meeting in 1975 went West Indies’ way.
West Indies also won the 1979 World Cup meeting, while Australia became increasingly dominant in World Cup cricket during the 1990s and 2000s.
Major World Cup encounters include:
- 1975: West Indies won by 7 wickets
- 1979: West Indies won
- 1992: Australia won by 107 runs
- 1996: Australia won the semi-final by 5 runs
- 1999: Australia won by 6 wickets
- 2003: Australia won by 6 wickets
- 2019: Australia won by 15 runs
Australia currently leads the overall ODI head-to-head 79-61, with three ties and three no-results from 146 matches.
Overall T20I Timeline
The T20I rivalry began in 2008.
West Indies won the inaugural meeting, but Australia has since built a 16-11 overall advantage.
| Year | Important event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | West Indies win inaugural T20I |
| 2012 | Australia and West Indies continue regular T20 meetings |
| 2014 | West Indies produce competitive T20 results |
| 2021 | Australia win T20 World Cup meeting |
| 2024 | Australia win bilateral series 2-1 |
| 2025 | Australia sweep five-match series 5-0 |
The current T20I head-to-head stands at 27 matches, with Australia winning 16 and West Indies 11.
Head-to-Head Record
| Format | Matches | West Indies wins | Australia wins | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 33 | 64 | 25 draws, 1 tie |
| ODIs | 146 | 61 | 79 | 3 ties, 3 NR |
| T20Is | 27 | 11 | 16 | — |
These figures show Australia’s overall statistical advantage, although the individual eras tell a more complicated story.
West Indies dominated Australia during important parts of the 1970s and 1980s, while Australia has had stronger records during several later periods.
The Frank Worrell Trophy
The Frank Worrell Trophy is awarded to the winner of Test series between West Indies and Australia.
It is named after Sir Frank Worrell, the West Indies captain who led the Caribbean side during the famous 1960-61 series in Australia.
The trophy represents more than the result of an individual series. It reflects the long cricketing relationship between Australia and the Caribbean.
The 1960-61 series is particularly important to its history because the first Test was tied and the five-Test contest was highly competitive.
Most Memorable Matches
1960-61 Brisbane Test
The tied Test remains the defining historical match of the rivalry.
Australia and West Indies finished level after the final wicket fell.
1996 World Cup Semi-Final
Australia defeated West Indies by five runs in a rain-affected semi-final.
The narrow margin made the match one of the most dramatic World Cup meetings between the teams.
2019 World Cup
Australia’s 15-run victory showed how closely matched the sides could still be in limited-overs cricket.
2024 Gabba Test
West Indies defeated Australia by eight runs after defending 216.
It was one of the most significant West Indies Test victories in Australia in the modern era.
2025 T20I Series
Australia won all five T20Is during the Caribbean tour, completing a clean sweep in the shortest format.
How the Rivalry Changed Over Time
The statistical history can broadly be divided into four eras.
The early era
Australia dominated the first Test series in 1930-31, although West Indies soon demonstrated their ability to compete and eventually win series.
The West Indies era
During the 1970s and 1980s, West Indies became one of the strongest teams in Test cricket.
Their fast-bowling attacks and exceptional batting lineups made them extremely difficult to defeat.
Australia’s rise
From the 1990s onward, Australia became increasingly dominant.
The 1996 World Cup semi-final, 1999 Super Six match and 2003 World Cup meeting were part of Australia’s growing control of the limited-overs rivalry.
The modern era
Australia remains ahead statistically, but West Indies have continued to produce major individual victories.
The 2024 Gabba Test is the clearest recent example.
The 2025 tour went Australia’s way, however, with Australia winning all three Tests and all five T20Is.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did West Indies and Australia first play each other?
West Indies and Australia first met in Test cricket during the 1930-31 Australian season. Australia won the five-Test series 4-1, although West Indies won the final Test by 30 runs.
2. What is the most famous West Indies vs Australia Test?
The tied Test at Brisbane in 1960-61 is generally regarded as one of the defining matches in the history of the rivalry. Australia and West Indies finished with exactly the same score.
3. When did West Indies last beat Australia in a Test?
West Indies last defeated Australia in the second Test of the 2023-24 series at Brisbane. West Indies won by eight runs after defending a target of 216.
4. Who leads the West Indies vs Australia head-to-head record?
Australia currently leads the overall head-to-head in all three men’s international formats. The Test record is Australia 64 wins to West Indies 33; the ODI record is Australia 79 to West Indies 61; and the T20I record is Australia 16 to West Indies 11.
5. What happened in the latest West Indies vs Australia series?
The latest completed bilateral men’s series between the teams was in 2025. Australia won the three-Test series 3-0 and then swept the five-match T20I series 5-0.
Conclusion
The West Indies and Australia rivalry stretches across almost a century of international cricket.
It began with Australia’s 1930-31 Test-series victory, developed through the West Indies’ rise to global dominance, produced the historic tied Test in 1960-61, and became a major World Cup rivalry from the 1970s onward.
The balance of power has shifted repeatedly. West Indies dominated important periods of Test cricket in the 1970s and 1980s, while Australia established sustained superiority during much of the 1990s, 2000s and beyond.
Recent results have again favored Australia. The 2025 tour ended with Australia winning all three Tests and all five T20Is. Yet the dramatic eight-run West Indies victory at the Gabba in 2024 demonstrated that the rivalry can still produce extraordinary surprises.
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