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How did cricket become a unifying sport in the West Indies?

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Jonny Bairstow of England, wearing a light blue uniform and helmet, batting during the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia, with two Australian fielders behind the stumps. — cricket Jonny Bairstow of England batting during a semifinal match against Australia at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Cricket has served as a unifying force across the Caribbean since the West Indies became a Test-playing side in 1928. While the islands typically compete as independent nations in other sports, the legacy of British colonial influence facilitated the formation of a single, united regional team.1

This regional identity through sport became a significant cultural touchstone. The historian and writer C.L.R. James famously explored this dynamic in his work Beyond a Boundary (1963), discussing how the sport was integral not only to the British character but also to the social and political development of the West Indies. By representing the region collectively on the international stage, the team fostered a sense of shared identity that transcended individual island boundaries.21