Walsh Grabs New Test Wicket Record (28 November 1998)

28 November 1998

Walsh Grabs New Test Wicket Record

The Barbados Nation

JOHANNESBURG - There is a new wicket-taking king in West Indies cricket.

Courtney Walsh became the most prolific bowler in West Indies Test history when he had South Africa's No.3 Jacques Kallis brilliantly caught by Stuart Williams at second slip on the second day of the first Test yesterday.

That wicket, Walsh's second for the day, took him to 377 wickets in his 103rd match, surpassing Malcolm Marshall's 376 achieved in 81 matches. Back in 1989 at Kensington Oval, Marshall broke the previous mark of 309 by legendary off-spinner Lance Gibbs of Guyana.

The 6ft. 5in. Jamaican was the Windies' hero, ending the day with four wickets for 48 runs as South Africa reached 217 for six in reply to the West Indies' 261.

At the tea break, Walsh's team-mates formed a guard-of-honour and applauded the Jamaican off the field. Walsh now lies fourth on the world all-time list which is topped by Indian Kapil Dev with 434.

Walsh turned the match towards the West Indies in the process and confirmed after the day's play that he was still enjoying the workload.

"People have been saying for a while that I should pack it in and maybe they will be saying that more now that the record has gone," said the 36-year-old veteran after taking his tally to 379.

"But I'm still enjoying it and as long as I feel I am contributing something to the team, I'll carry on playing."

Marshall, now West Indies coach, applauded Walsh's feat from the pavilion.

"We had a little chat beforehand and he said he hoped I'd get it in the first innings and not have to wait until the second," Walsh said.

"It's nice to get it out of the way once and for all and to pass someone like Malcolm Marshall I feel is a great achievement."

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)