Kemar Roach has reached 300 Test wickets, and he did it in a win for West Indies over Sri Lanka. The 37-year-old got there by bowling Asitha Fernando with a full delivery that hit the stumps, leaving Sri Lanka 84/9. They were all out for 101, with Roach ending on 4/51 in the second innings.
A Place Among the Greats
Roach is the fifth West Indian to reach the mark. He took 161 Test innings at an average of 26.83 and is the first West Indies bowler to do so since Curtly Ambrose.
| Bowler | Test wickets |
|---|---|
| Courtney Walsh | 519 |
| Curtly Ambrose | 405 |
| Malcolm Marshall | 376 |
| Lance Gibbs | 309 |
| Kemar Roach | 300 |
How the Match Was Won
West Indies had already taken control with the bat. Amir Jangoo (233) and captain Roston Chase (194) shared a record 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket, and the hosts declared on 626/9. Sri Lanka made 308 in their first innings, helped by a hundred from Dhananjaya de Silva, but could not recover from the deficit.
On the last day, Jayden Seales took 3/14 and Shamar Joseph 2/19 to support Roach.
Roach’s Reaction
A moved Roach said it had been a long journey. He congratulated Chase on his first win as captain and Daren Sammy on his first as coach, and thanked his teammates and family, especially his mother.
West Indies lead the two-match series 1-0. The second Test begins at North Sound on July 3.
