West Indies reflects on historic treble ahead of ICC Women's World Cup

To win one ICC tournament is special. To take home two titles is hugely impressive. But to pick up three, all in the same year? That is an extraordinary occasion West Indies cricket will never forget.

That was its historic achievement in 2016, taking a triumvirate of T20 and 50-over crowns in miraculous fashion, as the men’s, women’s and under-19s teams all arrived back in the Caribbean with an extra piece of luggage.

Now, on the eve of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, the memories have come flooding back for Stafanie Taylor and the spectacular achievements of her country, hoping this particular tournament can continue that rise.

“It was pure excitement for a lot of time, to see the under-19s do it first was amazing, and from seeing everything they do you get those goosebumps,” said the captain.

“You see what they do and wish you are in that position. Then you get to be there yourself and it’s amazing, then the men did it as well and it was incredible.

“We were so happy for it, the Caribbean was delighted for it to see that everything was happening, particularly at the time that it happened – it was pretty much the ideal moment for the occasion.

“I’m happy to be a part of history, it’s very special to be part of that moment, and I would love to see more young players coming through.”

More than a year has passed since that journey began for the West Indies, as it beat India by five wickets in Mirpur for its very first ICC U19 Cricket World Cup title.

Keacy Carty registered an unbeaten 52 to lead the chase, but not even he and his team could envisage what would come next.

Barely two months later it was the women’s turn as they defeated Australia – the side that beat it in the 2013 ICC WWC – with Hayley Matthews and Taylor putting on 120 for the first wicket in the chase of 149 in the ICC Women’s World T20.

And a fairytale was once again upon Taylor as she finished player of the series – a story that was to get even better just a few hours later in Kolkata.

Chasing 156, the men’s team was struggling at 107 for six in the 16th over, though with Marlon Samuels at the crease, it remained in with a chance.

But nobody could envisage what was to come, as Carlos Brathwaite launched four consecutive sixes in the last over to take his country to an unlikely treble, the likes of which Anisa Mohammed is certain will never be repeated.

“It raised women’s cricket so much. We did not know how much support we got until we won that ICC World T20 and went back to the Caribbean,” said the spinner.

“Most of us were so shocked, the number of people that came out to welcome us home, and since then we’ve noticed women’s cricket be a lot more noticed.

“West Indies cricket is one of the teams that has the ups and downs, so to do that was incredibly special and something that probably won’t happen again.

“Women and men won’t be playing in the same year, so to create that history and that record is a phenomenal achievement, and very unique.”