Kemar Roach etched his name alongside some of West Indies’ best fast bowlers as the veteran seamer claimed his 300th Test wicket during a dominant innings and 217 runs win over Sri Lanka in the opening Test, a score that also went down as one of the biggest victories in the Caribbean side’s history.The emphatic triumph gave the West Indies a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and marked their sixth-highest run-scoring win in Test cricket. Roach finished with figures of 4 for 51 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 101 in their second innings in just 31 overs on day four.The 37-year-old became only the fifth West Indies bowler to reach the coveted 300 Test mark, joining legendary names Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Lance Gibbs in an exclusive club.“It’s been a long journey,” said an emotional Roach after the milestone. “Well done to the team and Roston Chasewho achieved his first win as captain, and Daren Sammy’s first win as coach.”
‘I’m glad I made you proud’
Roach gave special thanks to his teammates and family after achieving one of cricket’s most cherished milestones.“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these guys. Thanks to my family and I know my mom is watching. She’s proud. Thanks to everyone, I really appreciate it and I’m glad I made you guys proud in some way.”His notable wicket came when he bowled Asitha Fernando to leave Sri Lanka on 84 for 9, effectively sealing the match and his place among West Indies’ all-time greats.Roach led a relentless pace attack that exposed Sri Lanka’s batting on an overcast morning. Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph combined brilliantly with the veteran as the visitors fell away in dramatic fashion.Sri Lanka resumed the day at 15 for 1 but unraveled quickly. Roach trapped Nishan Madushka lbw before Seales dismissed the nightwatchman Kasun Rajith. Shamar Joseph then removed Kamindu Mendis and first innings centurion Dhananjay de Silva, while Alzarri Joseph added to the misery by cleaning up Kusal Mendis.Only Dinesh Chandimal, on 43, offered significant resistance as the visitors crumbled under relentless pace and movement.
The world record was placed on the platform
While Roach finished the job with the ball, the game was effectively decided a day earlier when Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase rewrote the record books.The pair put on a world record 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket, lifting West Indies to 626 for 9 after securing a 318-run first innings lead over Sri Lanka’s 308.A huge stand changed the competition before the quartet completed the demolition on the final morning.The comprehensive win also lifted the West Indies off the bottom of the World Test Championship standings after they had lost seven of their previous eight matches in the competition.West Indies will head into the second and final Test at the same venue on Friday brimming with confidence as they look to complete an unforgettable series.
