‘The 500’ club of Test cricket

Courtney Walsh

Walsh always remained underrated

Courtney Walsh made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1984 against Australia and played alongside Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding. The famous trio was so terrifying and in such great form in that Test that Walsh was not required to bowl in the first innings.

The tall Jamaican was nicknamed ‘Duracell’ for his ability to bowl long spells without getting tired. Walsh retired from Tests at the age of 38 and remains the only fast bowler to have bowled more than 30,000 deliveries in Test cricket. The only other bowlers to have achieved that feat are three spinners – Murali, Warne and Kumble.

The West Indian great was famous for his in-swingers to right-handed batsmen, darting in from wide of the crease. He never felt the need to sledge any batsman as his mere appearance and body language were sufficient to cause 'mental disintegration'.

Together with Curtly Ambrose, the “two C's” arguably formed one of the most lethal fast-bowling partnerships in Test cricket.

Walsh captained the West Indian side in the 90s during a very difficult period for the nation. He retired in 2001 having featured in 132 Tests and scalped 519 wickets. He was the first bowler to breach the 500-wicket mark in Test cricket.