Courtney Walsh became the most successful bowler in test cricket on Monday to leave West Indies poised for a runaway victory over Zimbabwe. The 37-year-old pace veteran took his career tally to a world record 435 wickets, one more than the previous best set by India's Kapil Dev in 1994.
Walsh moved to 435 victims with three for 21 in Zimbabwe's second innings of 102 at his home ground, Sabina Park, Jamaica. Walsh broke Dev's six-year-old record of 434 wickets by dismissing Henry Olonga for two to wrap up the innings, and then claimed, "Mentally it's drained me."
The paceman was embraced by his team-mates after Wavell Hinds caught tailender Olonga at short-leg and celebrated by kissing the ground. Walsh, who was given a standing ovation as he led his team-mates off the field, feared the chance may have gone with Zimbabwe crumbling on the worn surface.
"When the wickets started tumbling it got a bit dicey and I wondered would I get it," he said, donning in a cap with `435' emblazoned on it." Walsh was able to celebrate with a gift of champagne sent by the man who's record he had surpassed.
