WI vs SL 1st Test: Kemar Roach joins West Indies legends as hosts script record win over Sri Lanka | Cricket News
Kemar Roach etched his name alongside some of West Indies’ greatest fast bowlers as the veteran seamer claimed his 300th Test wicket during a dominant innings-and-217-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening Test, a result that also went down as one of the biggest wins in the Caribbean side’s history.The emphatic triumph gave West Indies a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and marked their sixth-largest victory by margin of runs in Test cricket. Roach finished with figures of 4 for 51 as Sri Lanka were skittled for just 101 in their second innings in only 31 overs on the fourth day.The 37-year-old became only the fifth West Indies bowler to reach the coveted 300-Test-wicket landmark, joining legendary names Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Lance Gibbs in an exclusive club.“It has been a long journey,” an emotional Roach said after the milestone. “Well done to the team and Roston Chase, who had his first win as captain, and first win for Daren Sammy as coach.”
‘I’m glad I made you proud’
Roach reserved special thanks for his teammates and family after reaching one of cricket’s most cherished milestones.“I wouldn’t be here if not 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 proud in some way.”His landmark wicket came when he bowled Asitha Fernando to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 84 for 9, effectively sealing both the match and his place among West Indies’ all-time greats.Roach spearheaded a ruthless 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 folded in dramatic fashion.Sri Lanka resumed the day on 15 for 1 but quickly unraveled. Roach trapped Nishan Madushka lbw before Seales dismissed nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha. Shamar Joseph then removed Kamindu Mendis and first-innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva, while Alzarri Joseph added to the misery by cleaning up Kusal Mendis.Only Dinesh Chandimal, with 43, offered meaningful resistance as the visitors crumbled under relentless pace and movement.
World-record stand laid the platform
While Roach finished the job with the ball, the match was effectively decided a day earlier when Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase rewrote the record books.The pair stitched together a world-record 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket, lifting West Indies to 626 for 9 declared after they had secured a commanding 318-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka’s 308.The mammoth stand transformed the contest before the pace quartet completed the demolition on the final morning.The comprehensive victory also lifted 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 a memorable series sweep.
