COURTNEY ANDREW Walsh can be described in a plethora of ways ranging from world's worst Test batsman to world's greatest Test wicket-taker.
In between fall such titles as 'Energiser Bunny' for his incredible durability, 'Ambassador-at-Large' for his service to Jamaica through cricket and 'Cuddy' for his accessibility to fans, not only in Jamaica and the Caribbean, but throughout the parts of the world where flannelled fools and willow meeting ball mean something.
At the grand, old age of 38, this servant of West Indian, Jamaican and Gloucestershire cricket is at the twilight of his career. The forthcoming tour by South Africa should mark his swansong on a Test stage upon which he first strode in Perth, Australia in 1984.
Since that somewhat inauspicious debut, Walsh has claimed a phenomenal 494 Test wickets at a more than respectable average of 24.68. The almost mythical 500 barrier awaits the modest medium quick bowler whose career started at Excelsior High School and was refined at the Melbourne Cricket Club.
To get to that record Test wicket tally he has played 127 Tests, bowled 4,740.4 overs with 1,057 maidens whilst conceding 12,192 runs. Throw in 205 international one-day matches with a further 227 wickets and his stamina is astounding; his heart huge.
His attitude towards the game is one that should be copied by his younger West Indian team-mates if the Caribbean representatives want to get out of the current downward spiral as quickly as possible.
All the aforementioned names appropriately fit Walsh, but 'gentleman' will endure after all the others fade.
