The 23rd April 2001 will be a day that goes down in the annals of cricketing history as the West Indies ultra fast bowler, Courtney Walsh, ended his test career with bowling figures of 3 for 62 as his team beat the South Africans in the fifth and final test on his home ground in Jamaica. These final 3 wickets brought his total to a world record of 519 wickets in a test career spanning 14 years. But he may not be finished yet as he has declared that should his country really need him, he will respond.
Courtney was and is respected all over the cricketing world not just for his bowling performances but his attitude to the game in defeat as well as victory. This gentle giant of a man although fiery in his bowling was also one of the sports great sportsmen.
Courtney Andrew Walsh was born in Kingston, Jamaica on the 30th October 1962 and developed into one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and in doing so gained over 130 caps whilst bowling nearly 5, 000 overs. His 519 wickets were taken at an average of around 25 runs at a strike rate of under 60.
Notable for his bowling, Courtney also holds two batting records. He has gained, if that is the right word, a duck against everyone one of the eight test nations and in his test career has accumulated 43 ducks in all. A veritable farmyard full. Not noted for his batting prowess, this gentle giant made many useful contributions to gain a win for the West Indies and on two occasions scored 30 runs.
Cricket enthusiasts all over the world will miss Courtney Walsh and I’m sure that all cricket lovers will join me in wishing him a happy retirement from test cricket and success in whatever he chooses to do in the future.
For a greater in depth look at Courtney, his life and his cricket record go to:
https://sites.netscape.net/jackieahewitt/test.html
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