TEAM HISTORY - ICC CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY 2008

1998 - Bangladesh
The first edition of the tournament saw the West Indies beating South Asian giants to progress to the final. They beat Pakistan by 30 runs in the quarter-finals after posting a huge total of 289 runs, which saw them progressing to the semis to meet India. India, after being limited to 242 runs, crashed out of the tournament after the Caribbean side reached the figure in 47 overs. However, their dream run was cut short in the final when South Africa, fresh after their conquest against the other south Asian giant, Sri Lanka, beat them by four wickets to claim the trophy, despite a magnificent ton by Philo Wallace.

2000 - Kenya
An early 108-run loss to Sri Lanka sealed the fortunes of the Caribbean team. In that match Avishka Gunawardene ruthlessly slammed 132 in 146 balls in a knock that brought the West Indies' bowling attack to its knees. He was ably supported by Mahela Jayawardena with 72. In reply, West Indies was able to post only 179, suffering a loss by 108 runs. A poor display considering they were the finalists on the previous occasion.

2002 - Sri Lanka
A four and three-wicket haul by Mervyn Dillon and Carl Hooper respectively against South Africa could not change the West Indies' fortunes as they lost by two wickets in their first pool match and so their chances in the tournament were gone. They did, however, beat Kenya by 29 runs in the other pool match, with Brian Lara scoring a century.

2004 - England
West Indies proved to the world that victory belonged to the side who wanted it the most. Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw put on an unbeaten stand of 71 for the ninth wicket to take the title away from the stunned English, who themselves were still recovering from beating Australia in the semi-final.

The Caribbean bowlers had earlier dismissed England for 217. Brian Lara would later say that the hurricanes that lashed the Caribbean islands inspired his team to play to their potential in the ICC Champions Trophy, where they pulled off the surprise win. He hoped that this success would act as a spur for a new generation of Caribbean cricketers.

Earlier, the Caribbean side choked Pakistan for just 131 in the semi-final. They also beat South Africa by five wickets and Bangladesh by 138 runs to emerge to the top of their pool table.

2006 - India
After beating Australia in the group stage in a closely fought battle, the West Indies were then bowled out for 138 in the final and lost by eight wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method. West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle was named player of the tournament.

In the semi-final between the West Indies and South Africa, Chris Gayle scripted his team's entry into the finals with an unbeaten 135-ball 133 runs. West Indies won by six wickets as they scored 262 runs in response to the Proteas' 258. They also beat India by three wickets after both Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnaraine Chanderpaul posted half-centuries. They, however, were taken to task by England when they lost by three wickets despite half-centuries by Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo.