West Indies captain Jason Holder has hailed fast bowler Kemar Roach as one of the top 10 Windies fast bowlers of all-time, giving special commendation to the player’s attitude.
Roach reached the milestone of 200 Test wickets during day two of the third match against England. In the process, the player became the first West Indian in 26 years and 9th overall to achieve the feat. The list is headed by Courtney Walsh who once held the world record with 519 wickets.
“200 wickets, definitely in the top ten West Indies fast bowlers of all-time in terms of his stats,” Holder told members of the media via a Zoom hosted press conference on Tuesday. The team captain was then quick to point out Roach’s exceptional attitude on the field.
“You just always see the effort he puts in on the cricket field. I just can’t think of any time I’ve ever called on Kemar and he has said no, or he is not up for it. He always keeps running in and giving it a massive effort. I am not surprised Kemar has produced what he has so far,” he added.
The series began in difficult fashion for Roach. The pace bowler, despite crafting excellent, economic spells, had failed to claim a wicket for the entire first Test. In fact, Roach’s dismissal of Ben Stokes, in the second Test, ended a wicket drought going back to August 31, 2019, and lasting 521 deliveries, or 86.5 overs.
List of top West Indies Test wicket-getters
(The 200 wickets club)
CA Walsh (132) 519
CEL Ambrose (98) 405
MD Marshall (81) 376
LR Gibbs (79) 309
J Garner (58) 259
MA Holding (60) 249
GS Sobers (93) 235
AME Roberts (90) 202
KAJ Roach (106) 201