Kemar Roach Is 'Fit Enough' To Claim 300 Test Wickets: Courtney Walsh

Courtney Walsh, legendary West Indian fast bowler and the leading wicket-taker of the proud cricketing nation, believes that Kemar Roach has the ability to cross the 300-wicket mark in Test match cricket.

Kemar Roach became the first West Indian bowler in 26 years and the ninth overall to claim 200 wickets in Test match cricket when he dismissed Chris Woakes on the second morning of the first Test.

Roach, who made his debut back in 2009, has played 59 Tests in which he has claimed 201 wickets at an average of 27.35 and is just one wicket away from equally Sir Andy Roberts tally of 202 scalps.

“It is a tremendous achievement for him to get there. It shows hard work and dedication pays off. I think he is fit enough to get to 250 or even 300. Just below him is the legendary Wes Hall – he was the daddy, the leader of the pack. When I started they called him ‘The Chief’ because he was chief wicket-taker. So it is a tremendous list for Roach to be on and he must be feeling chuffed.” Courtney Walsh told Sky Sports.

Also Read: Things That Have Changed In Cricket Between The Time Curtly Ambrose And Kemar Roach Crossed The 200-Wicket Mark For West Indies In Test Cricket

‘I had a few restless nights’- Kemar Roach

Kemar Roach had to wait for more than 70 overs for an elusive Test wicket when he finally got back-to-back scalps during the second Test, admitted that he spent quite a few ‘restless nights’ in the lead-up. But the right-hander has now set his sights on crossing the 300 Test wickets for the West Indies.

“I guess I had that landmark on my mind a little bit too much, I had a few restless nights,” Kemar Roach the BBC.

“It’s good to get past that barrier now and see how many more I can get. 300 would be great. I’ll work hard to get there and we’ll see how many I can go past 300.” he added.

If he does get to 300 Test wickets, Roach will leapfrog former Windies legends like Sir Garfield Sobers [235], Michael Holding [249], and Joel Garner [259].

Also Read: Kemar Roach Becomes The Ninth West Indian Bowler To Clinch 200 Test Wickets