Kema Roach The veteran seamer took his 300th Test wicket with a 217-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test, a result that also became one of the biggest wins in the history of the Caribbean side.The resounding victory gave West Indies a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and was their sixth-largest win by margin of victory in Test cricket. Roach ended up with figures of 4 for 51 while Sri Lanka managed just 101 runs in the second innings in the 31st over on day four.The 37-year-old became the fifth West Indies bowler to reach the coveted milestone of 300 Test wickets, joining the likes of legends Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Lance Gibbs.“It’s been a long journey,” Roach enthused after reaching the milestone. “The team did a great job; Roston Chasehis first win as captain and Darren Sammy’s first win as coach. “
“I’m glad to make you proud”
Roach extended a special thank you to his teammates and family after achieving one of cricket’s most cherished milestones.“I wouldn’t be here without these people. Thank you to my family and I know my mom is watching. She’s so proud. Thank you all, I really appreciate it and I’m glad I made you guys proud in some way.”His trademark wicket came when he dismissed Asitha Fernando for 84 for 9 to put Sri Lanka in trouble, effectively sealing the match and his place among the West Indies’ all-time greats.Roach spearheaded a relentless pace attack that exposed Sri Lanka’s batting on an overcast morning. Jaden Sears, Shamal Joseph and Alzarri Joseph combined brilliantly with the veteran as the visitors were routed in dramatic fashion.Sri Lanka resumed play at 15-1 but collapsed soon after. Roach trapped Nishan Madushka lbw before Sears dismissed nightwatchman Kasu Lajita. Shamal Joseph then removed Kamindu Mendis and first-innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva, while Alzarri Joseph intensified the misery by cleaning up Kusal Mendis.Only 43-year-old Dinesh Chandimal provided meaningful resistance as the visitors collapsed at a relentless pace and movement.
World record station sets the platform
While Roach was well on his way to keeping the ball, the game had been decided a day earlier when Amir Jangu and captain Roston Chase rewrote the record books.The duo created a world-record 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take West Indies to 626 for nine after claiming a first-innings lead of 318 runs against Sri Lanka’s 308.The massive grandstand transformed the game until the final morning, when the Pace Quartet completed the demolition work.The comprehensive win also lifted West Indies off the bottom of the World Test Championship standings after losing seven of their first eight games in the tournament.The West Indies, who will play the second and final Test at the same venue on Friday, are full of confidence and looking to complete a memorable series sweep.
