Windies hit the rockbottom

Before the 2003 World Cup, West Indies held the record for the longest winning streak in one-day internationals before Australia overtook them. Even in the midst of a slump, the West Indian team was a force to reckon with at home. But not anymore.

Less than a year after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in England, West Indies cricket has plunged yet again. After surrendering the Test series to South Africa and losing all five one-dayers against them, the West Indians were cleaned up 3-0 in the one-day series against Pakistan. Not only did it register their second consecutive one-day series defeat, but also their longest losing streak in ODIs or, for that matter, the worst ever by any major cricket playing nation see table below.

The West Indies have now lost eight consecutive one-dayers at home and this is the worst sequence for a side if we discount the performances of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

A closer look into the performances of all other major countries reveals some interesting facts. Sri Lanka and South Africa, for instance, have never lost more than three consecutive games on their home soil. Their performance is better than Australia, England and Pakistan who suffered defeats in five consecutive home matches, twice in Pakistan8217;s case.

The worst losing streak for India at home is six. Between 1986-88, New Zealand once lost seven on the trot.

Worst losing streaks in ODIs at home
	nbsp;	Matches	Year
	nbsp;	8 West Indies	2004-05
	nbsp;	7 New Zealand	1988-89
	nbsp;	6 India	1983-84
	nbsp;	5 Australia	1996-97
	nbsp;	5 England	2001-02
	nbsp;	5 India	1988-89
	nbsp;	5 India	1988-89
	nbsp;	5 New Zealand	2000-01
	nbsp;	5 New Zealand	2004-05
	nbsp;	5 Pakistan	1985-86
	nbsp;	5 Pakistan	1987-88
	nbsp;	5 West Indies	2001-02
	Unbroken sequences Note : The worst ever losing streak at home for any side in ODIs is 21 interrupted only by a rain abandoned no-result match by Bangladesh from October 1988 to November 2002. Zimbabwe lost 17 consecutive games between June 2001 and December 2002.