West Indies fast bowlers steamrolled Sri Lanka to record a huge win by an innings and 217 runs yesterday in the first Test match in which Kemar Roach reached the magical milestone of 300 Test wickets.
The legendary seamer took four for 51 and with fellow pacers Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph combined to bowl out Sri Lanka for 101 in only 31 overs – just after lunch on the fourth day at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
A small gathering of spectators celebrated the victory which handed West Indies their sixth biggest win in 98 years of Test cricket and was the first Test match win for Roston Chase as captain and Daren Sammy as head coach since they took over the leadership in this format a year ago.
The home side had lost seven of their eight Test matches in the current International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship but have now moved off the bottom of the points table.
Dinesh Chandimal, who made 43, was one of only two Sri Lanka batters to reach double figures. The other was Sonal Dinusha who finished on 12 not out.
West Indies had set up the win on the third day when Amir Jangoo (233) and captain Roston Chase (194) shared a world record 401-run sixth wicket partnership which allowed the home side to declare at 626 for nine with a first innings lead of 318.
Chase spoke after the win and described the result as “a perfect Test match and said he was delighted for Roach and praised his longevity and adaptability through his career which has spanned 17 years.
“Everything that we sat and planned with the team we sent out and executed beautifully. It was perfect and I’m thankful for the win,” Chase said.
“It was great to see the performance of Roach today. Happy to see him achieve this feat. We know early in his career he was quick and got his wickets with pace. Then he had his injuries but he came back and with the ability and the skill to change … to swing the ball and move it around he showed his greatness.”
Roach, who celebrates his 38th birthday tomorrow, came into the day with 296 Test wickets. He was most impressive at a venue where he has reaped overwhelming success with 54 wickets at an average of 15 runs per wicket. (PS)
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