
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In 1984, the West Indies celebrated a 5-0 test series defeat of England on British soil - a historic cricketing victory that became known as Blackwash.
But for Windies fans, it was more than just a record score-line. It was also recognition at a time when many British Caribbean communities were suffering racism, unemployment and poverty.
They flooded onto the pitch to celebrate, unfurling a banner in bold painted letters which read ‘Blackwash’.
It had a huge impact, as West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding tells Jane Wilkinson.
(Photo: Blackwash banner, The Oval, 1984. Credit: Allsport/Getty Images)
By BBC World Service4.7
1818 ratings
In 1984, the West Indies celebrated a 5-0 test series defeat of England on British soil - a historic cricketing victory that became known as Blackwash.
But for Windies fans, it was more than just a record score-line. It was also recognition at a time when many British Caribbean communities were suffering racism, unemployment and poverty.
They flooded onto the pitch to celebrate, unfurling a banner in bold painted letters which read ‘Blackwash’.
It had a huge impact, as West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding tells Jane Wilkinson.
(Photo: Blackwash banner, The Oval, 1984. Credit: Allsport/Getty Images)

7,639 Listeners

375 Listeners

876 Listeners

1,046 Listeners

5,520 Listeners

1,799 Listeners

964 Listeners

584 Listeners

1,763 Listeners

1,049 Listeners

2,110 Listeners

1,920 Listeners

488 Listeners

583 Listeners

108 Listeners

46 Listeners

759 Listeners

731 Listeners

849 Listeners

3,177 Listeners

720 Listeners

1,599 Listeners

280 Listeners

26 Listeners