Congratulations Courtney
Worlds Leading Test Wicket Taker
On 27/03/2000 at approx 5.13pm local time , Courtney Walsh took his 435th Test wicket, to overtake Kapil Dev and become the Worlds leading Test wicket taker.
It happened during the 2nd test against Zimbabwe at Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica. How wonderful for Courtney that it happened at his home ground.
His 435th victim was Henry Olonga, ct Wavell Hinds for 2.
It was the 59.5th over of the match in Zimbabwe's second innings, and Courtney's 15.5th over of the day. The score when the wicket fell was 102-9. The innings closed then as the last batsman, Heath Streak was injured and unable to bat.
When Courtney got Grant Flower out, (wicket 433), this was his 1700th first class wicket. Thanks to Adrian Thomas for that info.
His stats at the time (to be updated properly into a table) were
114 matches, 435 wickets, at an average of 25.26, and a strike rate of 57.90.
Amazing scenes at Sabina, where Courtney's mum, Joan Wollaston and his son Courtney "Junior" were present. There was no pitch invasion so he was able to savour the moment and kiss the turf. Kapil Dev phoned him and sent a bottle of champagne and afterwards there was a presentation by Portia Simpson the Jamaican Sports Minister and P. J. Patterson, the Prime Minister.
Photos
For some photos of the event (a nice sequence) check out
I don't know how long these will be on the web, so if the page does become unavaliable, could someone let me know and I will remove the link.
If anyone has any photos which they are happy for me to put on the site, please mail them to me.
Future?
Who knows what Courtney might achieve if he carries on playing- first to 450, first to 500.
Congratulations Courtney.
For loads of stats about Courtney's test wickets see
Put on air about an hour after the event, 27 March 2000.
The photo of Courtney bowling was taken by me, and a HUGE thank you to Sheila Lee in Australia for the special background.
As of May 2004, Courtney no longer holds the record as leading test wicket taker, having been overtaken by Muralitharan. But he will always hold the record for being the first bowler to take 500 test wickets.
Last update 24th May 2004