Desmond Haynes: Durable West Indies Opener and Greenidge’s Partner
Profile of Desmond Haynes, the Barbados-born West Indies opener, his famous opening partnership with Gordon Greenidge, his Middlesex years and his ODI record.
Desmond Haynes was the reliable half of one of cricket’s most successful opening pairs. Over sixteen years with West Indies he scored thousands of runs in Tests and one-day internationals, rarely missing a game and almost always seeing off the new ball.
Early life and rise
Born in Barbados in 1956, Haynes made his international debut in 1978. That year he also joined the World Series Cricket circuit, which brought together many of the leading players of the era. After the split with the establishment was resolved, he became a mainstay of the West Indies side.
He later played county cricket for Middlesex, giving him a long familiarity with English conditions that served him well on tours.
Playing style
Haynes was a patient, compact opener with a sound defence and a good judgement of what to leave. He played the pull and the cut well and was happy to bat for long periods, which allowed his more aggressive partners to attack. He had the temperament for the opening role and a strong record against fast bowling.
Career highlights
His partnership with Gordon Greenidge was the centre of his career. The pair put together a large number of century opening stands in Test cricket and were considered the best opening combination of their time. West Indies went through much of the 1980s without losing a Test series, and their dependable starts were a key factor.
In one-day cricket Haynes was equally prolific. He scored well over 8,000 ODI runs, as of the end of 2024, a very high total for the period, and he played in World Cups, including the finals of 1979 and 1983.
He continued playing for West Indies into the early 1990s, remaining in the team as the great side of the 1980s evolved into a new generation led by Richie Richardson and Brian Lara.
Legacy
After retiring from international cricket in 1994 Haynes stayed involved in the game in coaching and administrative roles. He is remembered as an opener of great consistency and as part of the pair that set the standard for opening partnerships. Statistics tell part of the story, but his reputation rests on his ability to absorb pressure and give the batting order stability over a long career.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Desmond Haynes’s opening partner for West Indies?
He opened for West Indies with Gordon Greenidge, and the pair are regarded as one of the greatest opening partnerships in cricket history.
Which English county did Desmond Haynes play for?
He played county cricket for Middlesex.
When did Desmond Haynes play international cricket?
He played for West Indies from 1978 to 1994 in both Tests and one-day internationals.