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Originally Posted by Andy Mellon Well, I always got that feeling when they took on England, that's for sure 
However, they weren't completely invincible. As I recall, New Zealand took them down a peg or two in a very controversial series in about 1984. I think that was the series where Colin Croft shoulder barged the Kiwi umpire. |
It was 1980.
And the umpires (one called Goodall to be more exact) had a very interesting interpretation of the phrase "impartial umpiring" throughout.
They (WI) actually refused to resume the final Day 3 session for about 10 minutes. They were adamant they would not retake the field unless Goodall was replaced.
Many meetings took place to save that tour.
Holding actually kicked down the stumps in disgust at one decision. He has since apologised for that acton but not for being aggrieved that his team were being robbed.
It was after that the WI became "invincible". They only beat England 1-0 over 5 Tests later that year. By the early to mid 80s they became the dominant force.
And with knowledge of what happened then, it makes me laugh to read people saying this incident is the saddest week for cricket and home umpires are better and other such sensationalist overreaction.